A/N: Seeing as it is Christmas time, I thought I'd give my readers a treat seeing as I've been slacking on updating my stories… Ehem. But let's not speak of that right now. Here is an AU Ghost Hunt Version of Dicken's classic A Christmas Carol. I've worked super hard on it just for you! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Ghost Hunt or A Christmas Carol.


A Christmas Carol:

The Warning

Christmas Eve.

What was a joyous day for most people seemed like any other day behind the closed doors of Davis Inc.

The wonderful merriment of the rest of the town didn't seem to seep into any nook or cranny of the small office. There were no decorations in sight, or even an exchanging of wishes for Happy Holidays—and there hadn't been for four years.

Not since the untimely death of the beloved Eugene Davis.

Those who didn't know Davis Inc. before the death of Gene wouldn't have believed how lively the place once was. Oliver and Eugene Davis started their business as Co-Owners, Oliver was the brains of the operation but Gene had the people skills that were needed for their line of work—even back then Oliver wasn't much of a people person. The dynamic duo was the talk of the town within a few mere months of opening, even for men so young there seemed to be no case they couldn't solve.

It was on one of these cases that they met a young widow by the name of Mai Taniyama. Her husband had been killed in an alley on his way home from work. Sadly, it had just been a product of being at the wrong place at the wrong time, and the discovery hadn't helped the grieving process. However, It was due to this unfortunate encounter that Mai would come to work for the Davis brothers as an assistant. She had a son and was in need of a place to work, they'd been in a rut even when her husband was still living and Eugene, having never been one to ignore a person in need, offered her a place in their growing business.

With Mai on the team, she and Gene made combine attempts to soften up Noll's hard outer shell. They were both alike in most ways and knew that Oliver wasn't as bad as he made himself seem. It was their mission to make him see that.

And, at one point they did succeed. Oliver had lighted up—slightly.

But not long after the achievement, Eugene Davis was found dead, his body floating in the city's local river jut a few blocks away from the office. It had been the only case that Davis Inc. had never able to solve and Noll took it the hardest. He turned into an even grumpier man than before and closed himself off from those around him. He began to wear black every day, in mourning of his other half, and kept himself as busy as possible.

This day, in particular, Oliver was keeping himself extremely preoccupied. Christmas time held memories that he'd rather not remember and working was a good way to get the mind off of those types of things. Busy work made him content.

Though of course, content could never really last for every long on such a despicable holiday. Not when it came to him, at least.

Noll soon found this to be true as he heard the light ding of the front door's bell chime and saw the familiar unwelcomed face of his cousin through the opened door of his personal office within his quaint building.

"Merry Christmas to the both of you!" Yasuhara cried, with all his Christmas spirit as if he was the embodiment of the holiday himself.

Oliver merely humphed and Mai—who had been silently organizing files—greeted him with a light and soft, "Merry Christmas."

Flashing the assistant a smile, the jolly male turned his attention to his kin and walked toward him. "Do I not get a 'Merry Christmas' from you dear cousin?"

The detective kept his eyes on the paperwork in front of him, "For what reason must I wish Christmas to be merry? It is a day just like any other day."

"Oh, you don't mean that."

"But I do." He replied simply.

"Don't be so cross, Cousin. Christmas is a time for family and happiness. I'm sure even you've got something to be happy about." Yasu chimed placing two hands on the man's desk and leaning in.

"It seems you've been fooled. Christmas is merely a time were stores and toy companies make hundreds off of poor souls like you, who buy gifts because they feel they need to. There's no happiness in wasting money you don't have on things you doing need.—It's a sham, all of it."

"There is a meaning deeper than that—than material things and money. That's all you see isn't it? Money." His cousin sighed, displeased. "With a one track mind like that, it's a wonder why you haven't married." The sarcastic remark earned a light giggle from the assistant.

Noll gave her an icy glare before turning his attention back to the man in front of him, "My marital status is none of your business."

Yasuhara chuckled, "Come now Cousin. Don't be so angry." Raising to his full height, he slipped his hands into his pockets, "But, anyway. I came to invite you to a Christmas party. Won't you go? Everyone is supposed to be coming."

"As much as I would love to come to one of your Christmas parties, I am much too busy." It was an excuse of course. Who was truly busy on Christmas day unless they let themselves be?

"But Aunt and Uncle were hoping to see you, you never write."

"You'll just have to tell them I cannot make it."

"But they are you're parents, Oliver."

"Does that make them special?" The stubborn grump rolled his eyes impatiently. He was already growing tired of the conversation.

Caught off guard, Yasuhara grew a bit solemn for a moment, but chuckled despite himself trying to make light of the situation. "…Madoka would have scolded you for such a comment."

"I am not afraid of the dead," Oliver retorted, taking an annoyed sip of his usual cup of tea.

What was left of his cousin's cheery mood completely wavered at this comment and, sighing, he started to leave but paused in the doorway. "Are you sure you won't change your mind?"

"Good afternoon, Cousin." The detective stressed, ignoring his question with a wave of the hand.

The visitor gave a light smile. "Alright, and Merry Christmas."

After changing a few words with Mai, the man left with pep in his step, despite his failed attempt to invite his dear family member.

Almost immediately after Noll's cousin left, another gentleman walked in, who just so happened to be the Reverend of the local church. His name was John Brown, a well known face among the town and a respected figure in the community. Once a Priest, he had let himself step down from that post and become a Reverend in order to marry his wife, Masako. This action had not damped the image his followers had of him, if anything it had seemed to strength it, as it showed that even holy ones are human and fall in love.

This well-known man—even to Noll who was not in the least bit religious—greeted both of the figures occupying the space with a warm smile and an Australian accent, a small pair books in hand. He turned his attention to Oliver, "Mr. Davis. You look well, as always."

At the sound of his name, the young grouch sat up a bit taller and placed his papers down on his desk. "As do you, Father Brown."

The blond held up a hand, "Please. Call me Reverend, I'm not a Father anymore."

"Aha Yes. Of course, Reverend." He leaded forward resting his chin on his clasped hands. "What business do you have with me?"

"Well, you see," The reverend began with a hopeful expression, "This year the Church is collecting donations for the poor. We feel that now is a good time, if any, to ask around for contributions as it is the time of year when peoples' moods are at their most charitable." He swallowed hard, feeling a bit nervous, "I was wondering… If you'd be willing to donate? I can assure you it is for a good cause."

There was a pause as Oliver shifted in his seat, and leaned back. His mood still sour from speaking to his cousin. "You see Reverend. My money is tied up in other things at the moment… I couldn't possibly offer anyone else a cent."

"But, Mr. Davis. If you don't mind me saying, you make plenty. Could you not spare even a bit?"

"Not even that." Truth be told, he could have probably spared something... but all of his funds were still tied up in trying to find his brother's murder. It was all he did during his free time, even if it had happened four years ago. He was stretching himself thin, both physically and financially, but the reverend didn't need to know that. He could think him stingy if he so wished, it was of no consequence to Noll.

"I see…" The humble man frowned only slightly, but kept his polite nature. "I must be on my way then. Good day."

"Good day."

On his way out, Reverend Brown was stopped by Mai, who held a small amount of money in her hands. The amount was hardy enough for a loaf of bread. "Wait, John." She called as she presented it to him. "I'll donate."

The holy man gave her a pained smile, "I can't take this, Mai. You need it for Takeshi and the girls."

"There are those, much worse off than we are."

He gave her a light pat on the head but still did not take it, "I'll see you soon. Masako and Grace want to visit."

The brunette smiled, albeit with slight disappointment, "Yes. They've mentioned it."

The man exited, with a final good bye to them both. The two were left to finish the day in the usual silence that occupied the office and soon it was time to close up shop, Noll stood and glanced over in his assistant's direction. "I assume you want tomorrow off?"

"If it's not too much trouble." Mai nodded, wrapping her thin coat around her torso.

"…Just be here early the next day." He grumbled turning back to douse the fire in the hearth.

"Of course." She smiled lightly and made her way out the office, but paused slightly to glance back and give a, "Merry Christmas, Naru."

At the use of his nickname he turned to look at her questionably, only to find her already gone. It was rare for her to call him that anymore. It had stopped when... well...

Brushing the thought from his mind, Oliver grabbed his winter coat and exited the workplace, making sure to properly lock up before heading home.

The walk was not far, as he liked living within short distance of the office, but it was a cold one. If possible, the chill from the morn had grown considerably colder. So much so that Oliver himself—a man who did not get cold easily—felt himself shiver a little from within his thick coat.

Ignoring the light murmur of Christmas cheer filling the cobbled streets, Oliver made it to his home in remarkable time. Walking up to the gate of his slightly large edifice, Noll removed the keys out of his pocket and, as soon as he made it to the front door, slid the object into its rightful place within the lock. As he went to turn it, Oliver had the strangest feeling of being watched. However, as he glanced around his surroundings he found no one. Even as he entered his bricked abode the feeling stayed.

It continued with him as he ate his dinner quietly, slowly mouthing down a plate full of leftover bangers and mash. Annoyingly enough, the sensation grew, causing him to leave his plate half-finished in the kitchen sink. His appetite lost due to this uncharacteristic feeling of paranoia.

The house seemed much darker than before. Though darkness had always been his comfort, it seemed almost suffocating now and for a brief moment he felt like he'd seen the glow of a pair of orbs watching him as he made his way up the staircase toward his room. He, being a man of logic, brushed it off as fatigue playing tricks on him. After all, working most of the day had depleted his energy reserves and now he was simply tired.

Making it to his room, Oliver immediately tossed his suit jacket on the edge of his bed and relieved himself of his tie. Sliding his shoes off, he unbuttoned the first two buttons of his dress shirt and slouched into the comfort of his favorite seat with a relaxed sigh.

"Long day?" A familiar voice seemed to state out of thin air and due to the man's grogginess it took a moment to realize that there wasn't anyone in the room with him that could have possibly asked the question. With a start, he followed the direction of the voice to a ghostly image of a figure, who shared his physical features, leaning over the head of his chair.

The figure, however, was smiling. Something Oliver hadn't done in a while, but something his brother used to do very often. Leaning away in shock, his lips parted to intake a sharp breath and the detective spoke to the apparition. "…Gene?"

The specter chuckled and rounded the chair to sit promptly on its arm. "I don't think I've ever seen you so surprised, Noll."

"…but how…?" The unusually surprised young man questioned, heart racing. His brother… His dead brother was sitting there next to him. It felt like foreign territory to see the unexplained before him and as he took in the sight it became more and more convincing that this was not just a hallucination. "Have you not… passed on?"

"I have not." His smile saddened. "Something holds me back."

"What do you mean?"

Eugene's ghostly features hardened, "Noll. I don't have much time, so I need you to listen."

There was a hesitant, curt nod in response.

"I've watched over you these years and I'm worried for you. I have met many souls who walked the same path as you do and let me tell you, the life that awaits you after death is not a happy one." Standing up and walking—or rather floating—toward the window he clenched his fingers. "Those that live a selfish, self-filling life are cursed to pay for it in death. They are forced to watch all the happiness they could have had, had they shown a little compassion." The young ghost seemed to get more frustrated with every word.

"Where exactly are you going with—"

"Listen!" His brother cried, trying to slam a fist on the window seal only for the appendage to go straight though. "Oliver James Davis, if you don't change your ways you'll end up just like them! Cursed to walk the world bound by chains as heavy as their sins!" His rant was followed by a coughing fit. Water that held a ghostly glow upheaved from his gut and fell in galloons upon the hardwood floor before fading through it. Noll moved to rise and come to his side, but the ghost held up a hand, the coughing soon residing. Wiping his mouth he continued in a much calmer tone, "I have come to give you a warning. There is a chance for you yet, my brother." He held up three fingers. "You will be visited by three spirits."

"…Three spirits? What chance is this?" The detective questioned, clenching his hands. "It sounds more like trouble."

"Without them, you cannot hope to shake the fate that awaits for you beyond the grave." He spoke simply, crossing his arms. "The first you can expect to see tomorrow at one, the second on the next day at the same hour, and the third upon the next night when the clock strikes twelve."

"Can they not show up at once? Save time?"

Gene motioned to him, "Come here."

Noll stood and complied, taking place by his brother's side.

"Look." The phantom waved his hand and the window slid up, the winter chill rushing into the space as it did so.

They both gazed out and saw a heartbreaking sight, many spirits littered the air, all bound and chained with miserable expressions. All moaned their woes loud and, uncaring who listened, pleaded with whatever god had punished them to show some mercy on their retched souls. They went about wanting to help those in trouble, but held no power to interfere. The sight hit a cord within Oliver, but he could not decipher the feeling and he found himself wanting to look away, but not being able to.

Clearing his throat, Eugene got Noll's attention. "I hope you remember what I've told you… You won't see me again."

With that he left, jumping out the window and into the night, he and the other spirits fading into the wind.

Oliver couldn't help but note his brother had never told him why he'd been kept from passing on.