I'm back with a new chapter!

She sighed.

Her thoughts went back to the time when Naru had used his power to help the Yoshimi family. She had been scared, sad, and worried then. How could he ask her if she loved Gene when she had been so scared for him ? Shaking her head, Mai Taniyama dragged herself out of bed. As she got ready for yet another day, her thoughts drifted towards the others. They had all been like family to her. Even Masako, who was jealous of her, was like an older sister to her. She had finally begun to feel like she belonged. But then Naru had to leave, and suddenly, no one had a reason to stay anymore. Masako went back to her life before SPR, and Monk went back to his band. What became of John, she didn't know. Yasu probably focused only on school now, and Ayako had probably gone back to her old lifestyle as well. She began to see each of them less and less, and after a few months, she lost all contact with them. And now, she was alone again. Her "family" had abandoned her, and that was when the pain became unbearable. Now, that pain had become her comfort. It brought back happy memories, and proved to her that that part of her life really did exist.

Heading out the door, she found herself heading in the direction to the old office. Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out a couple of keys. Picking one of them up, she climbed the stairs to the office. She always found herself drawn to this place. It held so many memories for her. She remembered when Lin had given the key to her. Before they had left for England, Lin had come back to the office to give it to her. Tears started to form in her eyes and she wiped them away, inserting the key into the lock.

Pushing open the door slowly, she entered. The office looked just the same as ever. She had made sure that it was kept as clean as possible, even though she knew that no one would use it. The others... they didn't know that Lin had given her the key. So they obviously didn't know that she came here everyday. She regretted not telling them when she had the chance, because maybe then, she would have still been able to see them. Making herself a cup of tea, she sat at her desk, and got out her laptop and books. Despite the lonely atmosphere, she found the silence to be comforting. Everyday, after her classes, she would come here to study, and on weekends, she would spend her whole day here. Mai smiled, wondering if Naru would call her stupid if he saw her now, studying. Probably, she thought, a sad smile on her face.

Hours passed by, and when the familiar sound of a bell broke the silence in the air, she immediately looked up. A figure stepped through the door, and when their eyes focused on her, they couldn't hide their surprise at her presence in the office. She stared into cold blue eyes.

"N-naru!" She stood up quickly, nearly dropping the cup of tea in her hand. Placing it down with shaking hands, she gazed at the black-clothed, blue-eyed, narcissicst jerk who had captured her heart, in wonder. Surely, it was a dream. She must have fallen asleep. Naru was in England. He wasn't in Japan.

"Mai, what are you doing here?" He spoke calmly.

"What are you doing here? Last I heard, you were supposed to be in England." She spoke, willing her voice to be even. He ignored her question.

"How did you get into the office? It has been closed for three years. You shouldn't be here." He smirked at the death glare she was giving him.

"Lin gave me the key when he said goodbye. You wouldn't know since you weren't there." She spoke, her voice laced with anger. If he didn't want her there, he should have told her so. Packing up her stuff, she made her way to the door, ready to push past him and leave, when his hand caught her arm.

"Mai, wait." he spoke quietly. He could see the fire in her eyes as she gazed up at him. "I am opening up SPR again, and if you want to be my assistant again, then the position is open."

The anger left her, and she felt like she was on a cloud. That would mean... that would mean that she would get to see Monk, Ayako, Masako, John, and Yasu again too. It would be just like old times again. She smiled at Naru, usual light, that had been absent for three years, was in her eyes once again.

"Noll, why are you still standing in front of the doorway?" A familiar voice shouted from the stairs. Another figure entered, and stood behind Naru.

"Mai?"

For the first time, Mai had caught Lin by surprise.

So, how was it? (Please tell me that its good!)

I had to make the HUGE decision of having Naru and Lin come back now instead of later on. It's just that the setting was right, and I guess that I didn't like seeing Mai so sad and depressed :(

I hope that it wasn't cheesy or rushed... hmm, maybe I should have made Mai dump her tea on Naru. :D

Yeah, not going to happen. I'm not that mean.

PLEASE REVIEW! I would be very grateful.

Thank you to those that did!

Brokenwhispers11

*Random Story* My sis was reading the first volume in the manga series, and when she was done, she asked if she could read this story. Of course, I said no. It would ruin everything for her!

Well, she's getting there... started book three... yup... a long way to go.

:D