Hey, Y'all! I'll get straight to the point ('cause I'm too lazy to write out an elongated and boring Author's Note). I got tired of trying to come up with a storyline for my last fanfic and decided to make a new one. So without further adeu, here is "Key and Lock." Enjoy! ^_^

"Take a key and lock her up,
Lock her up,
Lock her up.
Take a key and lock her up,
My fair lady…"

The soft melody echoed through my mind as I sat up in bed. Sure, the melody was a bit creepy. But, going to bed and waking up to it for almost two years now, I've gotten used to it. I reached over to my nightstand drawer and pulled out a small notebook. I made a note of the song and got up to get dressed. I've resorted to recording my sleepless nights in this notebook. Once I figure things out with what the song means, these notes should come in handy.

I dressed myself in a pair of skinny jeans, a simple black polo, a loose, dark purple tie, and my one-star converse sneakers. My hair, which was down past my back, I pulled back in a high pony-tail. I looked at myself in the mirror over my dresser. It's true, I didn't look much like myself anymore. Ever since I left SPR, I've changed a bit. However, even though my appearance had changed, my long for my old job was always picking at my brain. However, something was holding me back.

I was snapped out of my thoughts when there was a knock at the door. I quickly glanced at the mirror one more time before running to greet my visitor.

I opened the door and was greeted by my new friend, Yumiko.

"Yumi-san!" I exclaimed. "How are you?" After I left SPR, I went into hiding. I couldn't let any of the others find me and try and beg me to come back. I went one direction and just kept going. About 5 hours away from my old home, I found a small apartment here in this little town. Yumiko was the first person I met, and the only one who understood my predicament. She helped me from time to time with finding a job here and paying some of my rent. She was a great friend.

She smiled at me before handing me a small newspaper clipping. "I think you should see this."

I took the clipping in hand and read the article. I gasped at what I read;

"Shibuya Psychic Research, or SPR, closing after two years of struggling with countless cases; so many, that the staff is quitting left and right. Facility to close in two weeks." I read everything out loud.

"That was in the paper this morning," Yumiko had said. She looked at me hopefully.

I sighed before asking, "You want me to go back, don't you…?"

She smiled sadly. "Mai, I know you miss working there. Now, you can go and set things right. I'm sure with your help, the rest of your friends will want to come back to work, and you can build the place back up!"

I thought about it for a while. "You're right. I'll leave right now." I ran back to my room and started packing a small duffle bag, prepared for the long trip.

I came back to find Yumiko waiting by the door. She smiled at me before leading me to her car out front.

"Ready?" she asked after we had gotten in the car and were about to set off. I nodded slowly, left to my thoughts as to what the others will think of me when they see me.

The ride took a good 5 hours. I had fallen asleep within the first two…

"We're here, Mai," Yumiko stated. I looked out the car window up at my former workplace. I sighed heavily before grabbing my bag, thanking Yumiko, and starting up the stairs.

I got to the door and paused. "Was this such a good idea?" I thought. "No turning back now, I guess…" I thought out loud.

I slowly reached for the door handle and opened the door.

At first, I was hit with so much nostalgia. I never realized how much I've missed this place until now. I happened to glance over at my old desk. It hadn't been touched since I left. I walked over to it and sat down in the chair. There was a thick coating of dust on the, now, never-used desk. I sighed heavily, making some of the dust circulate into the air.

"Man, I miss this place…" I said quietly.

Everything was so quiet, I thought Naru had pulled out already.

"Mai?" I heard someone say. I knew who it was right away. I looked over to see Naru staring at me, clearly shocked at who had just entered his facility. I quickly jumped up out of the chair as if it suddenly burned my skin. "What are you doing here…?" He sounded confused…and somewhat angry.

I stared down at my feet before answering, "I-I saw an article in the paper. I thought I could help." I looked up after stating this, and he looked absolutely livid. Even for Naru, the look he was giving me was truly terrifying.

"You disappear for 2 years, and you come back when I'm about to go out of business?" He was almost yelling, but regained his composure after he noticed me cringe at the sudden outburst. However, my gaze never left his face. I wanted him to know I was serious about coming back."I know what I did hurt you all. I really don't know why I did it. But, I came back, hoping to be able to set things right," I said. "Did everybody really quit?"

"Yes. They didn't understand why you would just quit out of the blue like you did. Their emotions got the better of them; especially on cases. They weren't much help," he replied. "Did you ever think about coming back?"

"A lot, yes," I replied. "But, something was holding me back. I wanted to come back, but there was a force keeping me home. I couldn't understand it." I had lowered my head once more.

I waited for a long while. I knew Naru was deciding whether to let me stay, or kick me out. Then I heard a heavy sigh.

"Mai, call everyone and bring them here. We need to have a work meeting," Naru said. I lightened up. "Oh, and make me tea."

I smiled brightly and jumped up and down a few times. "Yes, Sir!" I practically shouted. I went to the small kitchenette to make said tea. The kettle whistled and I poured the tea into three cups. I delivered Naru's tea, set mine on my desk, and ran back to take a cup to Naru's proper assistant, Lin. I knocked lightly on the door before opening it slowly, as to not disturb him.

"Um…Hi, Lin. Would you like some tea?" I asked sheepishly. He seemed surprised to hear my voice and turned around in his chair immediately. He smiled lightly at me and gladly accepted the cup of tea.

"Thank you, Mai," he said. "It's great to have you back."

I smiled widely at him before turning to leave. I waved at him as I left and bounced back to my desk to make the alleged phone calls to everyone. Now, let's just hope that everyone else takes the suddenness of my arrival as well as these two did…

"MAI!" I was practically smothered to death by the only person who could do such a thing; Monk. He was both happy and relieved to see me.

"M-Monk…Can't…BREATH…" I choked out. He was dragged away by an annoyed Ayako who instantly took his spot, taking extra care not to choke me to death, who then hit me over the head with her purse.

"OW!" I yelped. I now knew how Monk felt, who almost doubled over in laughter.

"That's for disappearing like you did!" Ayako retorted. "Where on earth did you run off to?"

I smiled sheepishly. "About 5 hours that way…" I pointed in a random direction, receiving some glares and awkward stares from everybody.

John had given me a soft hug after that, and even Masako was happy to see me. When everything calmed down and I had made more tea for everyone, both Naru and Lin emerged from their offices and took their seats in the sitting room. We all kept quiet before Naru spoke up.

"I'm sure you're all aware of why I summoned you here. Mai has agreed to join back up with SPR. That obviously means that we will not be closing," he said. "If you all decide to join again as well, we will see to it that none of this had happened."

"How could we say no?" Monk said."Of course, we're all in." Ayako chimed in.

Masako and John both nodded their heads. We all glanced back at Naru who nodded his head and turned to me.

"Welcome back, Mai," he said. I smiled at him widely.

Everyone restorted back to talking about this and that, where everyone's been, what they've been doing.

"Take a key and lock her up,
Lock her up,
Lock her up.
Take a key and lock her up,
My fair lady…" A voice sang.

I gasped quietly. Thankfully, everyone else was back to their usual chit-chat and didn't hear it…except for one person.

"What's wrong?" Lin asked. He was sitting in the chair diagonal from my small seat. He looked at me, slightly concerned. I turned back to him and shook my head frantically.

"N-Nothing," I said. "I thought I heard something, that's all." I smiled reassuringly at him. He didn't looked convinced, but pressed the matter no further.

I know what I heard. Did I get in over my head with this?

Well, there ya go! I'm very happy with where this is going! I think I'm gonna have an easier time writing this one. I know it's pretty short for the first chapter, and things kinda went a little quickly, but I wanted to get the reuniting done and over with. Hope you enjoyed the first chapter!

Mai: Weird…Wonder what that voice could be...

Chii: You'll just have to wait and find out!

Mai: Yeah, yeah…Oh! By the way! Rate, Review, Comment, and Criticize!

Chii: Ciao, y'all! ^_^