A/N: Please make sure that you have read Part 1 (Chapter 12) of this update before you read this chapter. It would be pretty confusing if you didn't. Okay, see you at the end!

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters from or the Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha anime, nor any other movie, actor, song, or character referenced or stated in this story.

SURRENDER REFLEX

by : ~Nissanity~

Chapter 13 – To The Place Where I Belong (Part 2)

(continued from Chapter 12)

"Did you want to take a shower, Fate-chan?" Nanoha asked once she and Fate had returned home. She was making a pot of coffee while Fate was leaned back against the kitchen counter, watching her.

"I would love one more than anything," she replied. "Is that alright with you?"

Nanoha giggled. "Of course. I'll make us some lunch while you are in there. You can leave your uniform in your room, by the way. I'll wash it for you."

"That would be great. Do you know if I still have any of my clothes here, by chance?"

"Yeah, I came across some not too long ago. They're in your dresser drawer," Nanoha replied.

"Sounds good. I'll be out shortly, okay?"

Nanoha hummed in agreement and turned the coffee pot on as Fate exited the kitchen. She stared at the counter for a moment, now weighing the concept of Fate being back in their home as if she had never left. There had been a bit of awkwardness and tension between the two when they had ridden back in the taxi together, not really knowing how to act around each other just yet. They both knew there were issues that needed to be addressed between them, but the back of a cab didn't seem to be the appropriate venue for the discussion.

Nanoha opted instead to talk about Vivio and Einhart and their life changes, although she omitted the fact that they were moving in as well. She wanted that to be a surprise for Fate, and one she wanted Vivio to tell her herself.

Once Nanoha heard the water running and the shower curtain slide back, she climbed the stairs to the upper floor. She opened Fate's bedroom door slowly and spotted her uniform sitting in a pile on the floor. She then glanced over and noticed her boots sitting by the doorway as usual. She smiled as she recalled the countless time she had been greeted by the sight, signaling that Fate truly was home and safe again.

She reached down to pick up the crumpled fatigue jacket first. She unrolled the sleeves, which were currently still folded and buttoned at the elbows. She turned the jacket front to face her, and when she saw the name 'Harlaown' on the green cloth strip, she ran her index fingertip over the raised threads to trace each letter. She quickly snapped out her daze to bend over to pick up the pants next. She immediately stopped when a folded piece of paper fell out of the inner jacket pocket.

Nanoha glanced at the bedroom door briefly and listened to ensure the shower was still running. She picked up the paper, and when she turned it over she noticed it had 'Nanoha' written in pencil on the front. With trembling hands, she dropped Fate's jacket and inspected the folded paper carefully. She noticed the edges were frayed and starting to split apart, as if it had been folded and unfolded countless times.

She then debated whether she wanted to read what Fate had written inside or not without her permission, and soon curiosity got the best of her. She unfolded the paper twice but stopped again before she had opened it completely. She considered what to do next, and eventually chose to refolded the paper and hold it against her chest instead. She felt that it was good enough to know that Fate had been thinking of her while they had been apart, and perhaps the words inside were not as important as the action itself.

"Nanoha?" Fate called out from the doorway. Nanoha spun around, now realizing that she had lost track of time as she stood in the middle of the room. Fate looked down to see the letter pressed against her chest. She then looked back up at Nanoha's eyes with a bit of nervousness and skepticism.

"I-I didn't read it, Fate-chan," Nanoha told her as she looked down at the ground. She held the letter out in front of her for Fate to take. "I was going to, but then I decided not to."

Fate reached forward and took the letter from Nanoha's hand gently. She was still staring at the ground when Fate smiled and held it back out in front of her.

"Here, Nanoha," she said. "I think it will tell you how I feel better than I anything I could say to you."

Nanoha glanced quickly between the floor and the letter a few times, and then reached up and took it from her hand. She opened it carefully to make ensure none of the edges of the letter ripped any further. Fate sat down on the bed behind her, to allow Nanoha a chance to read it without her standing right in front of her.

"Dear Nanoha,

I'm writing this letter in the back of a humvee. I'm sorry if this is hard to read, but I really wanted to tell you a few things while I had the chance.

I have been to hundreds of places throughout the years, and I have seen enough in them to last several lifetimes. But it wasn't until I felt your love for me, when your lips first met mine during our one night together, that I finally realized it - - the only place in the world where I truly belong is right next to you.

I want to make the impossible become the reality between us. I want us to start over and build our life together again. I want to become what we always should have been. But most importantly, what I want most is for you to want it all with me, too.

I miss you. I miss our family. I miss everything. And the chance that it is all waiting for me again when I return home keeps me going through the harshest of days here; just like the memories of our time already spent together guide me through the darkest of nights.

I don't know what reality has in store for us after this. But whenever I think about it, there is one thing I always see in my future - - and that is you.

I love you, Nanoha. And just know that, no matter where we are out here in this world, you will always be home to me.

Love always, Fate"

Nanoha dropped the letter on the floor and closed her eyes. She remained motionless as she felt the extent of Fate's love overwhelming her through her words. Fate soon stood from the bed and crossed the room to wrap her arms around her waist. Nanoha leaned her head back against her shoulder and let herself be held by the person she wanted most in this world, and whom she now knew felt the same way.

"I love you, Nanoha," Fate said softly from behind her. Nanoha nodded and whimpered a little when Fate drew her in closer. "I'm sorry I didn't send that letter to you before."

Nanoha shook her head. "No," she said with a shaky voice. "I think it was right where it needed to be."

Fate slowly guided Nanoha to face her, keeping her close as she spoke. "Can this be our reality, Nanoha?" she whispered.

Nanoha placed her trembling hand on her arm and traced it up to her shoulder. "I want it to be," she replied softly. She gently touched her lips to Fate's. "I want it to be more than anything."

A gentle hand slid to rest in Fate's hair as the two slowly met again to share a tender and comforting kiss, soon followed by several more. There was no urgency this time. There was only the need to express their love for each other carefully. Sincerely.

"Fate...cha..." Nanoha said softly. "I love you. I love you..."

Fate met her lips again. "I love you, too... Nanoha."

Nanoha returned with a more insistent, hungrier touch next. She leaned into Fate more as they continued to move their lips in sync. She raised her other hand to grasp her shoulder, pulling her in as close as she could. Fate moved her hand across Nanoha's back as they parted lips, beginning to share more of themselves with each other. She lifted Nanoha up a little to press and feel her body closer against hers.

A honk coming from outside the house immediately took them out of their world they had created. Nanoha pulled away from her. "Of course!" she laughed and placed her head on her shoulder. "Of course."

Fate smiled and kissed her on the forehead. "We will have more time for that later."

Nanoha grabbed her by the hand and began to lead her out of the bedroom. "That's probably true. In fact, I'm sure of it," she said and bit her bottom lip suggestively. Fate was unable to find any intelligible words to respond to the invitation as she was guided into the hallway.

The two walked down the stairs and in through the kitchen next. They reached the front door and Nanoha opened it to step outside. She and Fate were greeted by the sight of the moving van now parked at the curb in front of the house. Einhart was at the back cargo door, entering the combination into the dial of the padlock.

"Jeez, Nanoha. I come all the way back here just to find out you're moving out of your own house?" Fate said jokingly.

"God damnit, Fate-chan..." Nanoha scolded, although she was grinning as she approached the van on the street.

"I hope we weren't interrupting anything?" Hayate asked as she stepped onto the sidewalk next to Nanoha.

"Well, what do you think was happening, Hayate?" she muttered in return.

"Hey! I don't want to be hearing about that kind of stuff coming from my mother!" Vivio yelled as she came to stand beside Einhart at the rear of the van.

"I bet you four will have to come to a lot of agreements about that sort of thing," Hayate then teased. Einhart immediately dropped the padlock against the cargo door as face became completely flushed. She turned to walk away from the group, but Vivio grabbed her hand to stop her.

"Alright, that conversation is over," Vivio declared. "So Fate, I guess my mother told you about us moving in here?"

"She hadn't yet," Fate replied. "But I'm really happy we could all infiltrate her house together at the same time."

"Infiltrate...?" Nanoha repeated slowly. "Is that the proper word for this?"

Fate shrugged. "I like it."

"You know what your yard needs, Nanoha?" Hayate asked as held up her fingers like a picture frame towards the house.

"What's that?" she asked.

"A puppy."

"What?!" Nanoha cried. She tried to ignore the sight of Vivio's face brightening at the suggestion. "Why would you suggest such a thing?"

"I could see that, actually," Fate agreed as she looked across the yard as well.

"I've always wanted a puppy," Einhart added seriously.

Nanoha spun around to see four sets of eyes now staring at her earnestly. "I see...'Infiltrate' was the correct word after all, it seems."

"Well, my work is done here!" Hayate said. "You guys can give me a ride home, right?"

"I don't know, Hayate. Can we?"

Hayate placed her arm around Nanoha's shoulder playfully. "You'll thank me later. I promise."

"Well, you're coming over everyday to help potty train it, just so you know."

"Does that mean we can really get one?!" Vivio beamed.

"No, I was just kidding when I said that!" Nanoha responded quickly.

Fate stretched her arms over her head. "That animal shelter is still in the same place, right?"

"No, they moved to the corner of Central and 4th Street," Einhart told her.

"Hey, we could go get lunch at that cafe around the corner beforehand?" Vivio mentioned as she opened the garage door, which housed Nanoha's spare vehicle inside.

The four women started walking to the vehicle to began climbing into it. Fate stood beside the open passenger door and looked back at Nanoha, who was now glaring at her from the walkway. "You coming, Nanoha?" she asked over the top of the car.

Nanoha shook her head and pulled her keys out of her pocket in a huff. "Alright... But I get to pick out the goddamn dog! You got that?!"

A chorus of cheers came from inside the car as Nanoha entered into the driver's seat and started the engine. They soon drove away to find another family member to add to the house that afternoon.

oOOOo

"God, I'm so nervous!" Vivio mentioned as she walked into the gym with her mother, Fate, and Einhart close behind her.

"I know this is really big for you, Vivio. But make sure you stay calm and professional, okay?" her mother advised.

"Yes, Mama," she replied as they entered onto the gym floor. She spotted Signum standing next to Shari, the sponsor scout from Riot Force that Vivio had met the week prior.

"Vivio!" Shari greeted when she saw her. "I'm so glad you could make it!"

Vivio shook her hand. "Thank you for coming out all this way again. This is my mother, Nanoha. Her partner, Fate. And this is Einhart Stratos."

Shari gave polite hellos to Nanoha and Fate before looking directly at Einhart. "It is really good to meet you, Einhart. We spoke on the phone before?"

"Yes, it is wonderful to meet you too," she replied politely. "Thank you for considering Vivio as someone to sponsor."

Shari waved her hand and smiled. "It's our pleasure. She has a lot of the qualities we are looking for."

"Vivio, why don't you gear up so we can get started?" Signum suggested.

"Okay. I'll be right back."

The group watched Vivio cross over to a far bench to begin putting her gear on. Nanoha stayed to speak to Shari about the bran,d and what it was exactly they had planned for her daughter. Fate took the opportunity to sit next to Einhart, who took a seat on a bench near the ring.

"So, this brand had tried to speak to you before?" Fate asked her.

Einhart nodded. "Yes. I received a few phone calls from them after the tournament. They were interested in meeting me, but I declined their offers."

Fate hummed. "Why's that, if I might ask?"

"I told them I wanted to join the military. They said they understood."

"I know you and I haven't spoken about that much yet," Fate mentioned. "I'm impressed that you are dedicated to making that your career choice."

Einhart looked to the ground and blushed a little bit. "Thank you. I, um... Honestly, you had a part in that decision," she admitted.

"I did?"

"Yes. I had not really considered serving before. But after I met you the first time and realized what it was you did exactly, I felt the desire to do it as well. I felt like it was a calling."

Fate paused as she considered the seriousness of her words. "Wow," she finally replied. "I honestly had no idea. I'm really honored."

Einhart remained silent, now unsure what to say to the woman she admired so much sitting next to her. The two watched Vivio begin to bounce around across the gym to warm up.

"You know, Einhart?" Fate finally said. "I watched you fight in the tournament when I was on leave last time. I'm concerned that you may be missing out on an opportunity that you shouldn't be."

"What do you mean?" she asked, glancing over at her.

"Well, I've been in the military for a very long time. In fact, it's hard for me to remember what life was like before it at this point. I'm very happy with my decision to join, of course."

"But...?" Einhart ventured.

"But - - there is something you need to know about why a person put themselves in danger for others. It's because we want the people we love to always have the freedom to not have to do the same thing as them."

"But that's a reason I would want to serve, too?"

"There's nothing wrong with wanting to serve your country and to protect others," Fate continued. "But personally, I know I would feel more honored if you allowed yourself to do better than me. To let me see you give something to the world that most other people can't."

Einhart laughed a little. "You are just saying all this so that I won't want to join."

Fate leaned back against the wall. "Maybe so? But it doesn't make anything I say less true. You have a real gift, Einhart. And you have an obligation to everyone who fought for your freedoms to go and explore it first. Besides, the military isn't going anywhere. If it doesn't work out, you can always fall back on it later."

"Fate-chan?" Nanoha suddenly called out, gesturing to her to come speak to Shari with her.

"Just give it some thought, okay?" Fate added as she stood up. "But do know, I will support any decision you make. We all will."

Einhart watched wordlessly as Fate walked over to stand next to Nanoha. The three women were chatting casually and smiling as Vivio entered into the ring behind them. They turned their attention to her, and Shari retrieved her camera from the bench and began taking pictures of her warming up.

After a few minutes, Shari requested to speak to Signum. "Does your gym have any other fighters here that she can spar with for the photos?" she asked her.

Signum shook her head. "No, I'm sorry. Everyone is in school right now."

"Einhart could?" Vivio suggested as she leaned on the ropes. "I brought her stuff with me."

"Vivio...?" Einhart replied in disbelief.

Vivio shrugged at her. "I was just trying to be prepared is all. I hope you don't mind helping me out?"

"I think it's a great idea," Nanoha mentioned. Fate nodded in agreement, and Shari looked elated at the suggestion.

"It's all in my gym bag," Vivio added as she pointed over to it.

Einhart slowly rose from the bench with her arms crossed and walked towards the gym bag. She noted that Vivio had packed all of her equipment inside, plus two changes of workout clothes for her. She eventually turned to speak to Vivio over her shoulder.

"I'll need to borrow your hand wrap," she told her.

"No problem!" Vivio replied cheerfully.

After ten minutes in the dressing room, Einhart emerged in her full gear and entered into the ring to face off with Vivio. She did her usual warm-up exercises while Vivio danced around excitedly in front of her.

"It's almost like what should have happened at the tournament," Shari mentioned.

"Yep! Einhart can finally kick my ass once and for all!" Vivio replied. She then immediately held up her hands apologetically to Shari. "Sorry, sorry! That was an inside joke, Shari. Sorry."

"It's okay, Vivio," she replied. Nanoha rolled her eyes and groaned internally at her daughter's misstep. Fate bit her lips to hide her grin as best as she could.

"I have no idea where she gets that language from?" Fate then teased. She received an elbow to the side in response.

"Okay, get set!" Signum called out to the two fighters in the ring.

"Let's make this one count, Einhart," Vivio said as she approached the center to touch gloves with her.

"Absolutely, Vivio." Einhart smiled once more and stepped back to her side of the ring.

Signum held up her hand. "And... Go!" she shouted.

oOOOo

Fate smoothed the front of her fatigues and knocked lightly on her platoon commander's office door the following day. She was currently responding to a formal request she had received that morning to come speak with her at the base about the upcoming deployment to Afghanistan.

"Come in!" a voice called out.

"You wanted to speak with me, Hayate?" Fate asked as she entered into her office.

"Yes. Please shut the door and have a seat, Fate," Hayate requested from the rear counter in her office as she poured herself a cup of coffee.

Fate walked over to one of the couches in the office and sat down. She then placed her hat next to her on the cushion. "What's going on?" she asked.

Hayate sat across from her. "I'm glad you could make it in today. I know you have been busy lately, spending time with your family and all."

"Yes, the puppy has become quite the ordeal, honestly," Fate replied.

Hayate grimaced. "Sorry about that. I never thought you guys would actually go through with it."

"It's okay. Arf isn't going anywhere. She's family now," she assured her.

"Well, Fate," Hayate then began," I'm sure you are fully aware that you are going to be shipping out again in the next few weeks?"

Fate held her hands out in resignation. "Yes, unfortunately. But we all have to do what we have to do."

Hayate paused for a moment to take a sip of coffee and to readjust on the couch. "Well, I would like to make a proposition to you instead."

"Which is?"

"A full-time mechanical engineer position has opened up on the base here. I would like you to consider taking it," she said.

Fate looked at her with a perplexed expression. "I'm not trained for that sort of thing?"

"It's very basic work, honestly. The training you would go through wouldn't be all that extensive. Six weeks, tops."

Fate frowned. "You mean, I wouldn't be deployed anymore?"

"No," Hayate replied. "You have done more than enough for the country in that aspect."

Fate shook her head. "I'm sorry Hayate, but I couldn't consider leaving my company. We have been through too much together. I appreciate the offer, though."

"Is that so?" Hayate tested. "Nothing will change your mind?"

"No, nothing."

Hayate sighed, and then snapped her fingers in the air. "Ginga!" she shouted.

Fate was shocked to see the office chair, which had been facing away from them in the room, suddenly spin around to face them. "Hello, Fate!" Ginga smiled from behind the desk.

"Oh, what the fu...? You were sitting there the whole time?!" Fate cried.

"Yep," Ginga replied as she stood up. "Nanoha asked me to come here to sit in on this meeting."

"Well, that wasn't necessary. There is nothing to discuss."

Ginga sat down next to Hayate. "Oh, but I think there is though."

"You can't possible think this is something I would do to you?" Fate questioned her friend. "You and I are a team! We protect each other out there. Like hell I'm going to let you go out there alone!"

"You're right, we do protect each other. You saved my life too many times to count. But that doesn't mean we just stop saving each out there. I have to do it at home, too."

Fate lowered her head and placed her thumbs against her temples, letting her hands shield her eyes from them. "Why are you doing this, Ginga?" she said, her voice shaking.

"Because I love you, Fate," she replied. "And because my eight years are up in six months. I'm getting out of the military."

"You're not retiring from it?" Fate asked, glancing up at her friend with bloodshot eyes.

Ginga shook her head. "No. I'm not. I can't do this anymore. And if you don't take this opportunity now, you are just going to find another partner to protect after I'm gone. It will never end for you."

Fate groaned and rubbed her eyes. "But what about everyone else? Teana? Subaru? They are still out there."

"I know, Fate," Ginga replied. She then crossed to sit next to her on the couch. "It kills me inside. That's my sister, for god sakes! But they wouldn't want you go keep doing this to yourself. To keep denying yourself a normal life. You have your family back now, and it's time to take care of them first."

"But six months, Ginga? They are sending you back to Afghanistan in a few weeks, and Teana and Subaru are still in Jordan! Fuck, Ginga!" she yelled as she stood up from the couch. "I couldn't live with myself if something happened to you and I wasn't there!"

"Sit down, Fate. Please?" Ginga requested, her voice now trembling as well. "I'll get through it. I have to, okay? It's the last thing I have to do, and then I get my chance at a normal life, too. But it's no good if you don't have your life just because of me!"

Fate sat back down on the couch. "This isn't happening..." she muttered.

"Fate?" Hayate piped up. "If I can guarantee that Ginga won't be deployed for the rest of the time of her service, will you please consider this proposal?"

Ginga's eyes shot over towards her commander. "Hayate...?" she whispered.

"Are you serious, Hayate?" Fate replied. "You can do something like that for her?"

"As long as you agree to the new job, then yes. I can," Hayate replied.

Fate glanced back at Ginga, and then nodded earnestly her commander. "I can accept that. As long as Ginga won't be deployed again without me, then I will do it."

Ginga threw her arms around Fate and allowed herself to shed the tears she had been holding back through most of the conversation. "Holy fuck, Fate!" she cried. "It's over, Fate... It's seriously over!"

"Yeah," Fate responded as she held her crying friend and partner close to her. "I guess it is, huh?"

Once Ginga had recovered mostly and pulled away from Fate, Hayate stood up from the couch and walked to her office door. "You can come in," Hayate said into the hallway. "She said yes!"

Fate stood up from the couch when she saw Nanoha enter into the room, who immediately started crying as she ran over to her. She hugged her tightly and allowed Nanoha to sob uncontrollably against her shoulder.

"You said yes...?" Nanoha said repeatedly in muffled cries. "Fate-chan, you said yes, right?"

"I did, Nanoha," Fate confirmed. "Hopefully, I won't be ever be leaving you again, okay?"

"Okay," she nodded and pulled away. "Okay. Just... just don't, alright?"

Fate laughed. "Alright, I got it," she told her. Nanoha leaned forward and gave her a kiss, and then proceeded to hug her again as tight as she could.

"You two should go home and celebrate," Hayate suggested. "Fate has to start training first thing tomorrow."

Fate pulled back to look directly at Nanoha. "You wanna head home, Nanoha?" she asked.

Nanoha smiled and nodded earnestly. "Yes. Let's go home for good, Fate-chan."

oOOOo

Epilogue

Nanoha smiled as she watched her daughter play tug-o-war with their dog, Arf, on the floor of the living room. She had just entered the room with drinks for everyone gathered around the television.

"I don't know how that dog still has the energy to chew up all my bras with how much you play with her," she mentioned as she started distributing the beverages.

"I actually trained her do that," Fate joked.

Nanoha rolled her eyes. "That's because you never want me to wear a bra, Fate-chan."

"Damnit!" Vivio shouted and covered her ears. "We have the 'no-flirting' rule for a reason, you know? It's because you guys say shit like that all the time!"

Ginga reached to take the drink from Nanoha's right hand. She unexpectedly yanked her left hand down towards her to inspect her ring finger. "Let me see that rock again!" she said. "Damn, Fate! That could not have been cheap!"

"She insisted," Nanoha told her. "I told her she didn't have to buy such an expensive ring."

"I think the fight is starting," Einhart mentioned. All eyes in the room immediately turned towards the television.

"Ah, there she is!" Hayate said affectionately after a minute. "Vivio, you look so buff!"

"I'd hope so," Vivio replied. "Vita trained me to death before that match. I've never thrown up so much in my life."

"Vivio..." her mother warned.

"Hey, wait! Pause it really quick, Einhart," Hayate requested. She moved from the couch and stood very close to the television. She pointed to Vivio's shorts, which were form fitting and left almost nothing to the imagination.

"What is it, Hayate?" Vivio asked, now slightly embarrassed.

"How many sponsor logos can they fit on those tiny little things? One, two, - "

"There's six!" she answered. "Now stop pointing at my ass, you weirdo."

"How about you, Einhart?" Hayate then asked as she went to sit back down.

"Also six," she answered. "But my shorts are much longer than hers."

Everyone in the room laughed loudly at her response, which had actually been said in complete seriousness. Fate pulled Nanoha down into her lap on the couch so that they could enjoy their daughter's first televised fight together.

"I love you, Nanoha," Fate said quietly from behind her.

Nanoha turned her head to the side to face her wife. "I love you too, Fate-chan." She bent down to kiss her, but soon a small couch pillow hit her square in the chest and interrupted them.

Vivio turned back around in a huff. "Will you stop breaking the rules already, Mama?!" she shouted.

End

A/N: So that's it! I hope you enjoyed the story. I apologize if there were any major inconsistencies with how the military works versus something I wrote in the story. I was pulling a lot from my memories of military school, plus my experiences growing up in a military family throughout most of my childhood. Well, I'll see you at the other stories soon! Until then ~Nissanity~