((I humbly thank you. I dont own ghost hunt, I just enjoy mucking about in the world.))

When Mai slept she dreamed but it had been over a year since she'd seen Gene in her dreams. It came as a huge surprise when she found herself in the dream mists and saw his back to her. As Mai made her way over to him he turned and gave her a sad smile. There he was, externally seventeen waiting for her. As she laid a hand on his shoulder he turned his total attention to her.

"A nephew. I always thought Noll might name a dog after me or something, but his son..I guess he misses me afterall. " The sad smile again.

"You know that's not true. We both love you very much Gene, I just never got to meet you when you were alive."

"I love you too Mai. I'm so glad you're my sister." He took her by the hand and led her deeper into the mists. "Come on, this is important." They made there way deeper into the dreamscape. Mai watched Gene's face carefully to see if she could find a clue about where they were going, but as he pulled her deeper the only thing that Mai could see in his profile was fear. What could a ghost have to fear?

As they made their way into the middle off a dark field after what seemed like forever Gene pointed towards the sky. Looking up Mai could see a great bright star that lit up the sky. It burned so hot it was blue. It was so beautiful that it took Mai's breath away. As she watched the blue star she felt as if there was something oddly familiar about it.

"Watch carefully Mai." Mai heard Gene say but she never took her eyes off of the blue celestial orb. Slowly Mai saw that the darkness around the star began to surround it a bit more tightly. A few black tendrils began to snake their way across the light, as if trying to bind it. The Light began to shrink as if it was being swallowed by the darkness.

"What are you trying to tell me Gene? Why show me this?"

"I wish it was clearer Mai, but there are rules. Just stop the darkness from swallowing the light. It's very important."

"How am I supposed to stop it if I don't even know what's going on!"

"Just stop the light from going out Mai. You'll understand it soon." Mai could hear Eugene crying. When she looked at Gene his face was vanishing. She was surfacing from her dream to her reality. The cries of her son were growing louder, more impatient. Opening her eyes she could see the moonlight from their bedroom window. Could that be the light that she had to protect?

As Mai reached into Eugene's small bassinette she stopped crying and eagerly moved his lips signaling that he was hungry. She laughed quietly. "how's momma's little piggy? Are you hungry?" The baby cooed in response kicking his legs happily and Mai smiled. As she sat down in her rocker and nursed him she looked out over the moonlit garden.

She and Naru had been hoping that Gene's absence meant that he was at peace in heaven. She looked at her sleeping husband's face. It was pinched in sleep. It appeared that he too was having a vivid dream. She was dreading telling him about his brother's warning.

As Eugene finished nursing Mai tucked him back into bed. Climbing into her own spot she was suddenly grabbed by Naru.


Oliver's eyes shot open. "MAI!" He seized her by the wrist as he looked wildly around. As his heart pounded wildly his eyes met Mai's and he could see her fear. Swallowing hard he realized that he was now awake. 'IT WAS A DREAM!' He thought with relief.

He exhaled the breath he had been holding and released his wife. "I'm sorry..I was..sleeping. It was. I apologize. Are you hurt Mai?"

"No. Are you ok Naru?" When he didn't answer she moved closer to him and put a gentle hand on his shoulder to steady him. His breath was starting to slow as was his heart. He closed his eyes and fell back against his pillow.

"I'm fine Mai. It was just a dream. I've just been working too hard." He sat up after a moment and looked around. Spotting Eugene asleep in his bed he smiled. He placed a kiss on Mai's forehead to reassure her and wrapped his arms around her. "I'm sorry I scared you. I'm fine. I promise. Let's do something this weekend, what do you say? We'll take him to the zoo or something fun?" When Mai smiled he leaned in and kissed her on the lips. When he saw her smile he deepened the kiss.

"But Naru, Eugene's asleep!" He smiled at her and kissed her neck before moving his lips to her ear.

"Then I guess you had better be quiet" he said as his ran his fingers over his wife's arm enjoying the sensation of her skin beneath his and. She was always so warm. He could touch her for hours. When he felt her own hands begin to work the button at his throat he smiled deeply and kissed her neck. Oliver felt as though he could never get enough of the taste of her skin.

As he laid his wife back he was happy to have the time with her. Since Eugene's birth he had not been able to indulge in making love to her as often as he'd like. When his shirt was pulled from his body he prayed that the baby would sleep and allow them some alone time. He loved his son without end, but he was still a young man in his first year of marriage, not to mention that Mai was the only woman he'd ever wanted.

As he indulged in his desire for her he thought of just how scared he'd been in his dream when she'd been in danger. Pushing the nightmare away he was glad that she was safe in his arms, arm and alive. He might not have been there when Gene needed him but Oliver would never let Mai be hurt or their son.

As the night bled into day with his desire for his wife momentarily sated he held her to his chest as she slept. He listened to her breathing and that of their son before he was able to fall back to sleep himself. He was so tired lately. A day out perhaps would do him some good, recharge his batteries as it were. He'd let Lin and Martin know in the morning that he was going to take a day for himself. He'd taken so few of them over the last few years that they could hardly deny his request. When sleep pulled him back under he held Mai closer as an anchor to remind himself that she was safe in his arms.