Disclaimer: I do not own Ghost Hunt.

AT: Thoughts are italicized and font sized smaller.

Telepathy conversations italicized and font sized smaller.


Price of Time

2) Diagnosis

Society for Psychical Research (England):

"Koujo, have you heard from Yun, Kana, or Mai recently?" Madoka questioned worriedly as she entered the Chinese man's office. "It's been a week and I haven't been able to get a hold of Kana," Madoka added sadly.

"Yun had informed me that she and Kana would be taking Mai on vacation during her school's break," Lin remarked as he turned away from his laptop to glance over at the worried Madoka.

"In that case I guess I'm thinking too much into it. If it were me I wouldn't want to be bothered on my vacation either," Madoka sighed as Lin returned to his work.

"Madoka you worry too much about them," Gene announced as he leaned on Lin's open office door.

"Well in all honesty you can never be too sure," 'especially if it involves Mai' "I mean Mai does have a tendency to attract unwanted attention," Madoka pointed out as a cough from the doorway caught her attention.

"Madoka, they can take care of themselves," Naru's harsh voice indicated as he now stood in the doorway of Lin's office next to Gene.

"Noll Honestly…" Madoka trailed off realizing it was pointless to argue with the Idiot Scientist. 'In reality Noll you're the one that needs Mai the most,' Madoka thought as she left the office.

"Gene don't you have work to do?" Naru questioned icily as he faced his brother.

"Idiot Scientist," Gene retorted in reply before taking his leave.

"Noll their just worried that's all," Lin indicated as he continued to type away on his laptop not giving Naru a second glance.

"What happens to Mai or anyone else for that matter back in Japan is no longer my problem," Naru coldly stated as he left the Chinese man to his work.

'How long are you going to keep denying the fact that Mai means something to you,' Lin wondered to himself as he watched his young charge exit the office.

Shortly after leaving Lin's office Naru returned to his own office. Sitting down at his desk Naru opened one of the drawers revealing a group photo. The photo was of the entire SPR team back in Japan including Mai.

"Mai, please be safe," Naru whispered before an all too familiar bad feeling entered his body.


Tokyo, Japan:

"Monk, Ayako over here," Yasuhara cried over the blaring music of the club.

"Yasuhara, why did it have to be a club?" Ayako wondered curiously as she took her seat at the booth Yasuhara had reserved for them.

"You're the one who let him choose where to meet after all," Monk mumbled sitting down next to Ayako. "I don't see why we can't just wait until Mai, Kana, and Yun return from their vacation before gathering like this," Monk huffed crossing his arms in frustration.

"Don't worry about it too much Monk. I'm sure there will be other times in which Mai, Kana, and Yun will be able to attend," John reassured from across the booth with a smile.

"Speaking of gatherings we are still missing Masako," Yasuhara pointed out as he to sat down at the booth.

"Masako said she had to work tonight," Ayako answered as a waitress soon arrived taking their orders.

The four ex SPR irregulars continued to talk while waiting for their meals to arrive. Their conversations mainly revolving around what was happening in their lives since SPR closed down. Ayako informed every one of her many over nighters at the hospital her parents owned. Monk announced that his band was practicing non- stop for their upcoming tour in Japan. John stated that he continued to help Father Toujou at the church/orphanage, and on the side found time to do a few exorcisms.

Yasuhara unlike Mai spent his break from school to study, or help Madoka with research via e-mail. Between each SPR irregular's conversations the group somehow managed to finish their meals. Before the group realized it the time was nearing 10 pm.

"Well as much as I would love to stay and chat I have 1st shift at the hospital tomorrow," Ayako indicated as the four friends stood up from the booth.

"John it's your turn next time to pick a location to meet," Monk stated as the two shook hands to say goodbye.

"When did the girls say they would return?" Yasuhara asked directing his question to the Monk.

"I don't think the girl's specified when exactly. I'm sure Yun and Kana will have Mai back before her school's break is over in a month," Monk replied as he then escorted Ayako out of the club. John and Yasuhara soon fallowed after paying the bill and leaving a tip for their waitress back at the booth.


University of Maryland Medical Center (America):

"Ms. Emmeline it's good to see you," a man's voice greeted them as Emme, Kana, Yun, Mai, Devon, and Jonny entered the hospital.

"It's good to see you as well Dr. Egan," Emme replied to the tall man wearing a white lab coat.

"I take it that this is not a social visit," Dr. Egan inquired as he glanced over at the three ladies and 2 gentlemen standing behind Emme.

"No it's not," Emme indicated as she ushered Dr. Egan to a private room. Dr. Egan nodded in understanding as the rather large group took their seats in the private room.

"Emmeline, does your father know you're here?" Dr. Egan questioned as he poured everyone a glass of water.

"No," Emme quickly replied. "I would like to keep it a secret as long as possible," Emme added as Dr. Egan nodded in understanding.

"In that case what brings you here?" Dr. Egan wondered.

"It's not what but who," Emme replied as all eyes turned to Mai.

"This young lady…" Dr. Egan hesitated as he realized how much Mai and Emme look alike. "Kathryn," Dr. Egan gasped in shock as Mai glanced over at Emme confused.

"This is Mai Taniyama," Emme introduced causing one of Dr. Egan's eyebrows to rise. "Kathryn was adopted after mom's murder," Emme added as Dr. Egan ran a hand through his hair. "Mai has several different psychic abilities," Emme paused as Dr. Egan pulled out a notepad and began to write. "One of her new found abilities was recently used, and it left her with some rather painful side effects," Emme concluded as Dr. Egan paused in his writing to glance over at Mai.

"The pain is where?" Dr Egan questioned as Mai raised a hand to her chest. "I see," Dr. Egan commented. "Have you been experiencing fatigue, more than usual?" Dr. Egan wondered as Mai nodded lowering her head so that her bangs covered her vision.

"Doc, do you know what's wrong with Mai?" Yun asked as the room went silent.

"I'm not sure. I would like to run some tests before I diagnose her," Dr. Egan indicated as Emme smiled.

"Then you've decided to help?" Emme cheerfully asked.

"Yes, but Mai will have to remain in the hospital for a couple of days," Dr. Egan stated as he glanced over at Mai.

"That's not a problem," Mai assured with a bright smile. With the decision now made for Mai to stay in the hospital Kana and Yun accompanied Mai to another room so she could get registered. Meanwhile Emme, Devon, Jonny, and Dr. Egan remained in the private room.

"Dr. Egan you know how important it is to keep Mai's identity a secret from everyone right?" Emme wondered as Dr. Egan sighed sadly.

"Emmeline I know very well how important it is. Kathryn… No I mean Mai has been missing for 16 years, and for her to return now as Kathryn it could very well put both your lives in danger," Dr. Egan sadly noted.

"I've already thought of that scenario. Which is why not only will Kana and Yun be staying with Mai, but Devon as well," Emme commented as all three men nodded.

Several hours later Mai found herself back in her private hospital room, which she had gotten after being registered. The sun had already begun to set outside as the surrounding buildings were outlined with a pinkish/orange color.

"Mai I see you've finally returned from yet another test," Devon's voice commented from a chair opposite the bed in the corner of the room.

"Yes," Mai sighed tiredly as she crawled into the hospital bed. "Dev what are you doing here? It's getting late shouldn't you…." Mai began before being interrupted.

"I'm here to keep an eye on you while Kana and Yun are back at the manor packing an overnight bag for you," Devon stated calmly as Mai opened her mouth to say something but was interrupted yet again. "I'm not leaving," Devon concluded as Mai sighed in defeat.

"I'm not a kid anymore," Mai mumbled as Devon glanced up at her from the magazine he was reading.

"Never the less Ms. Emmeline instructed me to watch over you until Kana and Yun return," Devon soothingly announced.

"I don't get why Emme thinks I need someone to watch over me 24/7?" Mai wondered as she looked over at Devon.

"Ms. Emmeline has her reasons, and I assure you that they are not to be taken lightly," Devon stated as Mai nodded before she laid down to sleep.

The next morning came and went in a flash and soon it was noon. The nurse had stopped in several times throughout the morning to check on Mai and to also give her some pain killers. The last time the nurse had entered she left Mai her lunch tray. Shortly after receiving her not so good hospital lunch Mai was joined by Emme, Kana, Yun, and Jonny (Devon stayed overnight). That night Dr. Egan arrived to check on Mai.

"How's the patient doing tonight?" Dr. Egan wondered as he stood at Mai's bed side. Kana and Yun were passed out on the sofa by the window while Devon and Jonny played cards on the coffee table in front of the sofa. Emme sat on the other side of the hospital bed chatting away with Mai as Dr. Egan asked his question.

"I've been better," Mai bluntly answered.

"Have you gotten the test results back yet?" Emme asked hopefully.

"Yes," Dr. Egan announced grabbing the attention of both Devon and Jonny. "Before I begin it would be best to wake the others," Dr. Egan mentioned as Emme glanced over at Kana and Yun's sleeping forms on the sofa. Devon took this opportunity to shake Kana until she woke up.

"Devon, why'd you wake me?" Kana wondered as her eyes fallowed Devon's glance. "Oh," Kana blurted out as she hurried to wake Yun from her sleep.

"What?" Yun hissed nearly biting Kana's head off.

"Look," Kana motioned over towards Mai's bed as Yun shot up from the sofa.

"I see it's not that easy to wake those two," Dr Egan teased trying to break the tension building in the room. "Mai's been diagnosed with 'Mitral Valve Prolapse' also known as MVP. It's a condition that effects one of the heart's valves. MVP is also sometimes inherited, but in Mai's situation that is not the case I fear," Dr. Egan informed as he looked around the room. All eyes that he could see had a hint of worry within them.

"Can it be treated?" Kana asked breaking the silence of the room.

""It's hard to say. We've never come across such a young patient before, nor have the symptoms ever escalated this rapidly before," Dr. Egan stated.

"So this case is rare even in its self," Mai whispered as Dr. Egan nodded.

"It appears the pain is intensifying even with the help of the pain killers," Dr. Egan observed as Mai grasped a hold of her chest. The others watched on unable to help as Mai's newest pain episode died down.

"Doc what's the worst case scenario?" Yun asked as all eyes suddenly landed back on Dr. Egan.

"There are several scenarios the worst being that Mai could die," Dr. Egan mentioned as all the females in the room except for Mai gasped in shock. "Another scenario is that Mai will have to undergo surgery," Dr. Egan added as tears now streamed down Emme, Kana, and Yun's faces.

"Is there anything we can do for Mai in the meantime in regards to the pain?" Emme asked as she chocked back some more tears.

"With the amount of pain Mai's currently in theirs only one way to temporally alleviate it," Dr. Egan paused for a minute allowing the information to sink in. "The only way is to put Mai under a Drug induced coma," Dr. Egan concluded as all eyes except for Mai's widened.

"Dr. Egan I long will I have to remain in a coma?" Mai asked curiously not showing any hint of emotion.

"No more than 6 months any longer and…" Dr. Egan trailed off leaving his statement unfinished as a frown appeared on his face.

"I understand, and I'm willing to take that chance," Mai announced as everyone stayed quiet.

"Very well, I will have a room prepared for you then," Dr. Egan replied before leaving the room.

"Mai don't forget wherever you go, Yun and I will fallow. Even if it means staying by your side in the hospital," Kana commented with a smile as the two hugged.

"With Kana and Yun here I'm relieved. I can return to England without worries and be back just as fast," Emme reassured as the girls all laughed.

"Does that mean you trust us enough on our own that you won't be leaving Devon or Jonny here?" Yun coldly asked.

"Yun I've always trusted the two of you, but if for some reason you or Kana have to leave…" Emme began before Yun interrupted.

"Yeah, yeah we know. Call either Devon or Jonny and they'll come take our place," Yun mimicked Emme's voice as everyone laughed.

Within the hour Mai had been placed under a drug induced coma, while Kana and Yun remained faithfully by her side. After making sure that Mai was somewhat comfortable in her new hospital suite Emme, Devon, and Jonny return to England.

TBC...


(A/N): Chapter 2 done wohoo! thanks for all the great reviews for the first chapter I really appricate them. Enough of that another great chapter completed hope you enjoyed this one. Once again thanks for reading and please review. Good or bad doesn't matter.