Displaced
Chapter 5
Babbler: To avoid confusion I'll state it outright that this chapter is centered on the Fate that switched places with the one in the previous chapters.
Meanwhile in a place far far away…
Fate opened her eyes to find herself lying in a still smoking crater in a grassy field surrounded by trees and a few small structures. The remnants of powerful magic still danced in the air under the afternoon sun. She pulled herself up on her elbows. There was a handful of partially dressed girls littering the ground as well.
About forty feet from her lay an auburn haired woman on her knees and looking out of breath. Fate watched her finally pull herself to her feet and walk towards her.
Whoa! "She's gorgeous," Fate said quietly under her breath, and no sooner had the words escaped her mouth, when the woman looked at her in bemusement. Crap! Did she hear me? She let the other woman pull her up and brush off the back of her uniform.
"How did you end up in your uniform…what happened to your barrier jacket?" she asked, voice like golden glow of the sun on a summer morning. The woman turned away from her to look around at the other girls now getting to their feet.
"I don't know." Fate's eyes remained locked on the other woman. It was far to difficult for her to tear them away. She had waist length hair tied in a ponytail that Fate suddenly felt the incredible itch to run her fingers through. It was men first and foremost in Fate's book but she couldn't take her eyes off of this woman humming happily and swaying her hips.
"Nanoha! Who won?" Teana poked her head out from behind some rubble.
Fate's ears perked up. She had been looking around and of the many people present, she only recognized Subaru, now getting to her feet, and Teana. She felt more at ease though…even if Subaru was within striking distance.
Clap! Clap! "Good job everyone! That's it for today so lets go wash up and then we can have dinner."
Wow! I wonder if I can find some alone time with her…look at her wiggling that butt. AND she SO knows I'm watching…did she just give me the eye? MmmmmMmmm!
Fate followed the others, checking to see if there were any more familiar faces, but slightly dismayed that not a single person rung a bell. There were so many people she didn't recognize.
"What's with the uniform?" Subaru jabbed her in the side. "Looks different somehow."
Fate immediately tensed up and plastered on a smile. "I think Bardiche changed my barrier jacket to this right after I was hit." She cringed. That lie wouldn't be much use to anyone technically minded.
"That's kinda dumb." Subaru scratched her chin and looked at her own device in thought.
It's a good thing you are too.
"What's Nanoha cooking for us?"
"No clue." What the hell is with this girl? She tried to hit me with her car…and cut off my finger with an electric carver…and stab me with an ice pick. Accidents my ass! I know darn well for certain my fingers were nowhere near that turkey!
"Teana! Lets go have a bath together!" Subaru charged forward and took Teana into arms and raced along a path through the trees.
"…O..O..Okay. Put..put me down!" Teana whined, now a considerable distance away.
I've got to pry my mind away from that amazing auburn booty. Something is not right here! "Bardiche," she whispered, "where am I...What happened?"
"Localized unknown affect of unknown variety…"
"So you don't know what happened."
"A localized unknown affect of unknown variety occurred…"
"Cut the crap Bardiche."
"Yes sir." The device said sarcastically. Over the years, monotone or not, she could tell when it was sassing her.
"Seriously, any idea of what happened to me?"
"Dropped on your head as a infant would be my best guess sir."
"..."
"I assume sir, that you have been transported to another dimension. This assessment is based on the series Sliders, which is highly recommended."
"I'm never letting Shario touch you again."
"That would be advisable."
Fate continued along the path staring into the distance. There seemed to be many different people moving in the same circles as her, Teana, and Subaru. I wonder if Hayate's around someplace? Subaru seems fairly friendly toward me so maybe I should just talk to Teana…then again, Subaru was acting pretty friendly when she nearly ran me over with her car as well. "Oops! Teehee…I didn't see you there." Arrgg! I hate that woman!
"Fate, what are you doing?" Nanoha was staring at her with a bright smile; hand on her hip. "Looks like you're having a silent temper tantrum."
"Just being silly!" Fate ran up to her and put her arm around her waist as they both turned in unison. Hehe…that was easy…too easy maybe.
Fate opened her mouth to say something but her mind went blank. There were no safe topics. Other than the weather there weren't any topics that couldn't potentially make her look like an idiot or at the very least out to lunch. "So how did Teana do?" What? Why did I say that? Of all the things I could ask I pick that!
"What's wrong Fate-chan? You weren't paying attention?"
"Chan?" We're close? She's Japanese? I sense a disturbance in the force.
"She did great! She's come along way in the last few years." Nanoha stared way off into the distance reliving old memories. "Oh, since I'm cooking, you get some special treatment! Is there anything in particular you'd like to eat?"
Fate wasn't paying attention. She was sliding her hand down the slender girl's back and slowly inching her way with each motion toward the well-toned prize. Sweat dripped off her chin as she wavered just above her rump. Will I get slapped or a Teana special? She didn't know if she wanted to risk a Teana special and the trip to the dentist that would entail.
"Mou! Fate-chan you're not listening to me."
"I'm…I was just lost in those beautiful eyes." Okay…that was cheesy but… she's still smiling. We're still good! We're still good!
"I asked you what you wanted to eat."
"I know something I'd love to eat." Fate smiled her most brilliant (dentist assisted) smile and simultaneously braced every muscle for impact.
Fate opened her eyes, and finding herself not squirting blood and swallowing teeth, she gently stroked the other girls face with her free hand.
"I'm not a mind reader so tell me," Nanoha pouted.
Fate pulled Nanoha in close to her, their lips nearly touching. "Should I just throw you down here or should we find somewhere more intimate."
"…Fate…I…have to help cook…" She tried to push away but Fate was holding her too tightly.
"No. All you have to do his scream my name." Fate stared hard into the other girl's eyes.
"Then we should find some time alone." Nanoha's face moved closer to Fate's, and her eyes snapped shut has two slightly dry (she'd blame that on whatever training they were doing) but soft lips pressed against her own.
"Mama!"
Fate and Nanoha eased themselves apart and turned to see a little blonde haired girl running up to them.
"That was awesome. Can we do it again tomorrow?" She bounced around them both with hands in the air.
"I'm glad you enjoyed it but you won't be saying that in an hour when you start getting sore and your muscles cramp up." She patted the girl on the head.
"I can't wait to train some more!" Vivio twirled and bounced away.
"She's so vibrant. I wonder who'll she'll turn after. She reminds me of you." Nanoha linked arms with Fate and they continued walking toward the house.
I have to learn to be quiet and not say to much or I'll give myself away…then again…I'm in friendly company…I'll have to speak to Teana.
"What'cha thinking about?"
There's that smile again. Fate could feel her heart beating in her ears. Dammit! Stupid hormones! I get transported…teleported…who knows…to some weird place and the first thing on my mind is scoring!
"Fate?"
"I'm just tired after fighting like that. I was zoning out." Fate rubbed the back of her head.
"Lets hurry back to the house and I'll give you a nice massage. Hehe…I didn't think Fate-chan would be so out of shape!" Nanoha grabbed Fate's hand and pulled her into a slow run. "I have to start cooking soon. I don't want Megane to do it all by herself."
"Okay." A stupidly happy smile plastered all over her face despite herself.
I've never heard tell of this place before. Fate did her best to look around without looking shocked. Some of the girls she'd seen earlier were now in robes and wandering the hallways and….Teana? Fate smiled at the familiar form down the hallway walking towards her in a robe. The top half was probably open more than she realized and every step revealed a smooth white leg….
Fate pulled her eyes away. There's no telling what our relationship is. I can't ogle her. Mustn't ogle her. Shouldn't ogle…
Fate gulped has she noticed Nanoha watching her from the corner of her eye. The other woman giggled and linked arms more tightly with Fate.
"Were you looking at Teana's bum Fate-chan."
Not her butt…I mean… "I wasn't looking at her…I was just ogling her innocently."
"Mou!" Nanoha puffed out her cheeks. "I know what ogle means you know."
"I wasn't…I didn't…"
Nanoha opened the door to their room and skipped over to the bed. Stripping off her tracksuit in a flash she fell onto the bed and nestled her face into the covers. She turned an eye to Fate and then patted the bed for Fate to lay besides her.
Hmm okay? Fate, likewise stripped her uniform off and lay on the bed. Was that fake jealousy? Was she just kidding?
"The girls had so much fun today. I hope they realize this type of thing isn't all fun and games. There is a purpose for it." Nanoha propped herself up on one elbow.
Say something smart! Don`t let me down brain! "They're smart girls. They understand." Way to go brain! You get a cookie and maybe some nookie if this goes well.
"…They're only young they shouldn't have to worry about things like that yet." Nanoha sighed deeply.
"I was young….." I can't say that! I don't know how things worked out here. "I don't think it's ever to young to learn to defend yourself…and your loved ones."
"Massage time! We can't spend all afternoon chatting." Nanoha bounced up to her knees. "Flip over and take off your bra!"
"Okay." Fate sat up and reached for the fastener at her back.
Nanoha's eyes shot open then her mouth followed suit. "Fate! Where did this come from!" With two hands she grabbed Fate's belly and squeezed. "Hehehe…you got a muffin top!"
"I…DO…NOT have a muffin top!"
"You do! You do! Bad Fate-chan eating junk food when she's on missions!" Nanoha merrily squeezed away at Fate sides and stomach.
"That happens when you've had a child! Quit it! It hurts." Fate struggled with Nanoha's hands.
Nanoha froze. Eyes wide open and mouth hanging ajar.
"I mean…" Fate pushed herself back against the wall. What in the name of fuck am I going to say to fix this!
Nanoha's mouth moved but no words came out. Her face took on a pale complexion and growing paler by the second.
"I'm…I'm joking." Fate reached forward and patted Nanoha on the knee. "I gained a little weight so I thought it be funny to…"
Nanoha blinked a couple of times then breathed in deeply. "I feel…like…I…got my breath knocked out." She fell back onto the bed. "My heart is beating so fast!"
"I'm sorry." I suppose almost giving her a heart attack is one way of learning information. I have to keep my big yap shut! Note to self: the Fate from here has not had a biological child, or at least, one this woman knows about.
"I'm sorry too. I shouldn't torment you." Her eyes were still wide. Her face still pale. She jumped to her feet. "Um…ah…look at the time. I'm going to help Megane with the food." She rushed out the door then rushed back in and put on her clothes and then was gone again.
Fate clasped her bra and pulled her uniform shirt over her head. I need to think…talk to Teana…and think. Teana's in the bath sooo…Fate stuck her head out the door and looked down the hallway. Nanoha had thankfully disappeared and there was one of the girls from earlier trotting along looking cheerful and wearing a robe and holding a towel.
Fate grabbed a towel from the dresser and a shower kit she hoped was hers and dashed out the door. She followed silently behind the quietly humming girl.
This place is huge! Fate walked down one hallway and then another and finally through a side door and down a short trail.
The little girl stepped into a small building Fate guessed was the changing room and Fate followed suit.
"Hi Fate!"
Fate froze.
The little girl smiled sweetly at her and then skipped outside again now in just a towel.
That scared me! Fate collected herself then pulled off her clothes and dropped them in one of the baskets. Just like the open-air baths in Japan. She wrapped a towel around herself and walked into the bathing area.
She breathed a sigh of relief. There were only a two of the young girls here and Teana herself…No Subaru? No Subaru!
"Hey Teana." Fate splashed down besides the girl and put her arm around her shoulders.
"Ah..Hi… You surprised me."
"Sorry. You've always…" Fate bit her tongue. Lets cut to the chase.
"You should wash first..." Teana shrank away from Fate's arm.
"Do you trust me?"
"Ye...yeah. Of course I do."
"You see," Fate put her free hand on Teana's knee, "something weird just happened to me."
"Weird like…eep…" Teana tensed at the hand slowing slid up her thigh.
"I was in Cranagan and then…BLAM…I'm here." Fate eyed Teana's quivering lips and couldn't help licking her own in anticipation. She could hear the young girls talking but couldn't see them and no one else was around.
"Hmm…I…don't….don't understand."
"Something happened. An artifact activated or maybe a jewel shard? I don't know what the heck it was." She leaned in closer. "Did anyone ever tell you how beautiful your eyes shine when you're exhausted?"
"Fate…"
"I'd give anything to have their undivided attention. "
Teana jumped and a shudder went through her body has their lips met and she reached for Fate's face.
Fate pulled away reluctantly. There were noises and voices coming from the changing room. She removed her arm from Teana's shoulders, leaving the other hand in place.
"Fate stop. Nannanaoja-nanaoha-nanananoha-nan-nan-oha is going to ki-ki-kill me…ki-ki-kill us. F-F-Fate…"
"We'll worry about that when it happens." Fate locked lips with Teana again.
The dressing room door flew open and girls filed out giggling and laughing.
"Do you have a girlfriend?"
"N-no-noo…Subaru…Subaru...it's complicated." Her face was blood red now and her eyes wide and vacant. She was shaking pretty hard.
"Then meet me tonight and I'll teach you a few things to make things less complicated."
There was several splashes around her has the younger girls filled the bath.
Back in the kitchen, Nanoha had managed to collect herself though her eyes remained slightly wider than was usual. She stood in the kitchen wearing a jean skirt and pink sweater. A simple apron hung around her neck and she slowly stirred a pot. She ladled out some broth and vegetables and poured it back into the pot.
"Something wrong?" Megane smiled at her.
"No. Nothing is wrong. Why do you ask?" Nanoha put the lid on the pot and took a couple of rigid short steps to the carrots she was in the process of slicing.
"You look….kinda like you saw a ghost or something."
"It's nothing" she paused for a second "Fate made a weird joke…"
"Hmm?" Megane picked up a cutting aboard and placed it alongside Nanoha's. "Tell me…if it's okay I mean."
Nanoha sighed. "I was picking on Fate. She has a little bit of a belly because she hasn't been exercising like she should…and she joked that she had trouble losing the fat after she was pregnant. PREGNANT!" Nanoha yelped then looked nervously around the kitchen but there was no one in earshot.
"That is a little odd for her to tell a joke like that...I mean...you would certainly know that better than myself."
"Yeah...I've never heard her say anything like that before. It completely leveled me...I couldn't breathe...my heart came up in my throat...I almost cried."
"Oh my. That's quite a reaction."
"Nyaha..ha."
"But haven't you ever told a awkward joke you wish you hadn't?" Megane put the potatoes she had been peeling into the pot.
"Nyahaha…yes."
"Was she ever even away long enough to conceal a pregnancy from you?"
"No!… Don't say that. It's scary."
Megane tapped her finger against her chin. "I don't think she has though?"
"You're right she hasn't...but I don't like that we're investigating this...when Fate would never even think..."
"Yes...I'm sorry...You see though how you were thinking with your heart and not your brain."
"Hmm...I've calmed down now I think."
Multiple tiny feet raced past talking excitedly and laughing.
"Well. That sounds like some of the girls are getting back from the bath. We'd better pick up the pace.."