AN: Okay, so cut me some slack, this is my first fanfiction since... god knows when, and hoppppeeefulllyyy it should turn out alright? OH and if I get any of the facts/details wrong then just tell me, 'cos I'm working my way through the manga after watching the anime series Enjoy!

In her whole year of working at SPR, Mai Taniyama had never not wanted to go to work the way she did today.

Today was Naru's birthday, and she still hadn't gotten him anything! She'd stayed up the whole night racking her brain to come up with the most amazing gift ever. Still no luck. It was 4:30am.

The rest of the team, Bou-san, Matsuzaki, John and Masako had all put in a tremendous amount of effort into searching for the right present, or so Masako said. Apparently, she has for him "the most perfect and amazing present." This upset Mai, as how could they find it so easy to choose a present for the most secretive, selfish narcissist in the world!

Mai lay there in her bed, her hair messy as usual, listening to the sounds of the cars driving past her apartment block. Naru meant a lot to her, and if she couldn't get him anything, then would he hate her for it? I mean, it's not like Naru would be expecting any presents... right? He didn't even tell anyone it was his birthday, the gang only found out by begging Lin to tell them. Lin! I wonder what he got him, she thought. Something nerdy, like a new camera or recording equipment probably. Or maybe he didn't get anything as he does enough for Naru already? Mai began to get a headache. Why was it so hard to find a present for your boss, who also happens to be a narcissist, and also the man you are in love with? Of course he didn't know that. He'd probably just give her one of those Naru looks.

After a few more minutes, she turned to face her alarm clock. 5:00. She listened once again to the cars driving past. This was usually the time that Naru set off to work. Maybe if she got there early, and asked him what he wanted...? He'd probably just shrug and order her to make some tea? Or would she see a glint of disappointment in his eyes as he realises that Mai didn't bother with his birthday? No, no, no, she couldn't do that! There was no way she could face him without a present and watch everyone else shower him with their gifts!

Mai jumped out of bed and took a shower. Maybe a warm shower will refresh my mind, she pondered. After a good few minutes, she stepped out, wrapped a towel round herself, and took a look in the mirror. Mai, Mai, Mai, why do you have to be so brainless! she said to the twin staring back at her. There has to be SOMETHING I can get! Think Mai, think...

She thought about it all the way through brushing her teeth and drying her hair. She looked in the mirror again. Hmm, maybe I'll curl my hair today, I haven't done that in a while, she thought, picking up the curler. And a little makeup wouldn't hurt... would it? After that, she took another look at herself. She walked to her closet, and pulled out a cute black dress, after all, John told her they were going out for lunch, so why not get dressed up? After getting changed, Mai put a little pink bow in her hair, and slipped into a pair of brand new ballet shoes. She didn't at all look like she had tried too hard, but she did for once in her life feel... sexy. Mai grinned at herself and grabbed her bag with her files for SPR, and forgetting her breakfast, locked up her apartment, and headed down to the main street.

A few blocks away from SPR, Mai Tanyama remembered. THE PRESENT! I was so caught up in my appearance that I forgot all about Naru! she cursed at herself. Oh Mai, why are you so brainless, you silly girl! Mai turned the corner, and she could see Shibuya Psychic Research up ahead. Naru's van was parked outside. There was no sign of the others though... well, it was only 5:40.

Mai grumbled and cursed herself more while climbing the stairs to SPR. Naru surely wouldn't mind right? He isn't the birthday kind of guy. But he'd certainly be expecting something from me wouldn't he? She sighed. There was no doubt that everyone else at SPR knew of her crush on a certain someone. She dragged her feet along the floor for the last few meters, and then turned the knob of the front door and let herself inside.

"Who's there?" a gruff voice flowed in from Naru's office. Mai was right, he was here.

"Who do you think silly!" Mai responded, her voice a little shaky.

"Why are you here so early?" Naru popped his head round his office door. As usual, he was clad in black jeans, and a black shirt, but today his dark eyes had a tint of sapphire in them. Mai spent this moment savouring every part of him, before she looked into those dark irises. He seemed to be checking her out. Mai felt her face burning up.

"Um, Lin told me it was your birthday today." she said.

There was a slight pause, and the corners of Naru's mouth twitched. Was that a smile?

"Yes, you are correct. Well done." Naru stated matter-of-factly.

Mai blushed a deeper shade of red. How could she tell him that she didn't have a present? She looked away. She felt footsteps getting closer to her. Naru placed his hand on her shoulder.

"Mai, tea."

WELL, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU THEN she thought. Nothing ever changes for him! Grrrrr! She continued to mumble to herself as she made the tea, and as Naru retreated back to his office. How could someone not be bothered about his birthday? I mean, he'd expect me of all people to get him a present right? He didn't seem so excited at all! Or is that a good thing... since I don't have a present at all...

Her thoughts continued long after she had sheepishly delivered the tea to Naru, and began sifting through the piles of documents on her table. Maybe I'll just have a nap...

"Naru!"

Mai was woken up to the sounds of Bou-san, Matsuzaki and John rampaging through the front office and through to Naru's room. Lin looked a little taken-aback, as his co-workers ran past him to reach the birthday boy. When did Lin arrive? Mai wondered. She checked the clock. 7:30 it read. Usually the time the others arrived, so that means Lin would have been here for over an hour. He probably laughed at her napping on the office chair on the way in. That instant, the front door opened, and in came Masako, balancing four neatly wrapped boxes in her arms.

"Mai? Help?"

"Coming!" Mai hopped out of her desk chair and ran to help Masako, and caught a present just as it almost slid from the top of the pile.

"Are the others with Naru?" she asked.

Mai sighed. "Yes, they've gone to say Happy Birthday I'm guessing."

"Where's your present for Naru?" Masako questioned, with a sneaky grin in her eye.

Masako was a nice, quiet girl, but sometimes Mai could sense a bit of evil in her. Nobody can be perfect, and Masako clearly isn't she thought to herself.

"You look... nice by the way." Masako said.

Mai didn't realise until then that Masako was wearing a cute dress too, a red strapless dress down to about mid-thigh. She didn't think Masako was the short dress kind of girl, but you learn something new every day right?

"Yeah, you look great too!" Mai smiled. She hadn't noticed what Ayako was wearing on the way in, but she could be sure it would be something short and sexy too. Sigh, I better get in there and watch the present ceremony then... and with that, she followed Masako into Naru's office, where plenty of conversation was taking place. Even Lin had joined in, and was laughing with everyone else.

"I wonder what all the fun is about," Masako said.

The girls walked in on something that almost made them drop the presents they were carrying. Naru was holding up a red g-string*, and Lin was stood next to him almost wetting himself.

"... Lin."

"AHAHA yes, Naru darling?"

"... tell me why I would want this." Naru said.

The others were crying with laughter, and Masako and Mai joined in soon after. It seemed like it was going to be an interesting day. But Mai still didn't have a present!

AN: ... silly ending I know, but I've been busy all day while I've been writing this, so I've run out of ideas at the present moment, but I doooo know what Mai wants to give him for Christmas, but I might change that if people give me some wacky crazy ideas ;) Or some romantic ones, either way hehe. I just felt like Lin needed some devilish, bad boy in him bahahaha.

*g-string: Well, I'm Australian, so we call them g-strings, for those who call it a thong, it's a thong. An underwear thong. For women. ;)