It was a another weary day for Naru. More of the same. Same people. Same problems. Same routine. The dark haired narcissist sat at his desk he glanced at the calendar. He had been doing more so lately. It was almost that time. It was as if yesterday he was in Japan watching Gene's lifeless body being dragged onto shore. Having to look into his lifeless face and identify him as his brother. Its been three years since then. After Gene was found he decided to close the SPR and return home to bury his brother. He had to help his parents grieve and he himself had to acknowledge the fact that Gene was gone. He and Lin packed up everything told the team that the SPR would be closed indefinitely and left.

He let out a sigh as his gaze travelled over to a picture frame that Madoka had given, no more like demanded he took. A picture of the whole SPR team. It was taken after they had finished one of their case. Everyone sported a smile. Yes even Lin was if you could count a slight upturn of his mouth as a smile. He on the other hand was frowning as he directed a glare at the brunet on his right with a bandaged arm and Band-Aids that decorated her face. She had gotten injured on the case and Naru was none to pleased with her. She always seemed to attract danger every where she turned. He couldn't help but smile as his gaze lingered on her smiling face, but it faded when he remembered the last time he saw her.


"I love you Naru." Mai blurted out red faced. They stood face to face at the edge of the woods.

"Me or Gene?" Naru interjected, crossing his arms in front of his chest.

"What?" Mai asked as her face crumpled in confusion.

"I said me or Gene." Naru replied harshly. He appraised her with his piercing blue eyes. Eyes that had always resembled deep pools, now looked cold as ice. She just stood there silently her face etched with hurt. Seconds dwindled and still no answer. That was it. Of course it would be his brother. It always was. She would pick the caring, happy, fun loving one, rather than the cold calculating narcissist that was right in front of her and just when he thought he had found some one he might actually care for.

"You know what never mind." He blatantly stated. He abruptly turned and left. Left her.


And that was the last time he had seen Mai. She didn't show up for work the day after. No call, message or anything. He notified the team and told them to relay the message to Mai that the office would be closing and that he would depart to England two days later. As he got ready to board the plane, he searched for her face in the crowd. The whole SPR team had come to wish Lin and him a safe trip. He hoped to see her face one last time at least, but she never showed. He took that as his answer.

He tried to expel her from his mind, but be that as it may was easier said then done. He would find himself at his desk and out of the blue shout "Mai tea!" only for Lin to appear with a puzzled expression. Lin would offer make him tea, but to be honest he couldn't stand it. Not that Lin's tea was bad, but any tea for that matter repulsed him. No one made tea like Mai. He would take a few sips to insure that Lin didn't worry. After all he was a "Tea addicted Narcissist" or so called. At other times Lin or his father would catch him staring of into space for minutes on end or he would be overly rude to the clients that came for help that his father would have to reprimand him several times a week. He missed her that was obvious, but it had faded with time. He thought about her every now and then. She was always at the back of his mind.

A knock on the door seemed to snap him out of his thoughts. " Come in." he said. Lin entered the room with a stack of folders in hand. Naru studied him from his desk. He looked exhausted and frankly a little beaten down. He was about to inquire how the man was feeling when said folders were placed in front of him.

"What are these?" Naru stated. As he leaned back in his chair.

"You know exactly what those are Oliver. All the case files you have rejected in the past 4 months." Lin said as he collapsed into the nearest seat.

"You know very well that I have no interest in these cases Lin and I don't intend to accept any of them."

"Well you can tell that to your father. He made it very clear that you are to accept at least one of those for next week."

Naru ran a hand through his hair as he let out a sigh. It had been a while since he had his last case, but none of the cases he had been given had seem to even peak his interest in the slightest. He turned his chair toward the window and peered at the cars and people bustling to and fro far beneath him. He didn't want to worry his parents. So he would have to do something.

"Tell father that instead of cases I will be doing a few lectures at the institute next week. That should please him." Naru said sharply, as he stood up to leave.

"All right Noll. I will inform him." Lin answered exhaustion evident in his reply.

"Well if that's all." Naru said as he made his way to the door.

"Noll wait." Lin blurted as he stood to catch up to his ward. "I will be taking a few personal days. I just wanted to let you know." Naru turned his focus to Lin. He did look like he needed a couple days of rest. Naru wondered why he looked so worn.

"All right. Notify me when you return." and with that he left.


Lin let out a sigh as he made his way back to his apartment. It has been hard these past few weeks. Noll has been quite a handful. Lin had an idea as to what was bothering his dismal young ward. It was pain stakingly obvious. Usually Oliver was a closed book, impossible to decipher, but these past few years he has seemed as open as ever. Lin knew he missed Japan, missed the cases, missed the team, but most of all he knew he missed Mai. His actions spoke louder than anything. Lin knew one of these days he would find an excuse to go back.

Lin dug through his pockets for his keys when he reached the door. Little did Oliver know that he had been keeping a secret from him. A secret that would most likely anger the hot headed narcissist, but it was a secret he had promised to keep. He wasn't about to ruin the trust he had taken so long to earn. He was about to put the key into the lock when the door opened before him.

"Hello Lin!"