Here it is as promised, the Epilogue for In the Heat of the Moment. I have to take a moment and thank all my lovely reviewers. I know I had a few worriers' and this Epilogue is just for you! You know who you are….
I have really enjoyed writing this story, and I hope you have enjoyed reading it. I am saddened by the end, but excited to start something new. Please feel free to let me know what you think.
Standard Disclaimer Applies…..
In the Heat of the Moment
Epilogue – I've been kissed by a rose
Naru phoned the local Ashinoko Police, and within an hour, the place was swarming with people. While waiting for the police to arrive, they discussed the official story. It was a unanimous decision to keep Tamoe Yumi out of the story. She had after all been possessed, and had no idea of what her husband had been doing. After hours of reports and paper work while packing, they finally started home.
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The whole group gathered in the S.P.R. office. They had only gotten back the night before when Lin, to everyone's surprise, had called each person, demanding his or her presence. He stood before the group with a serious air about him. The room was dark with the curtains drawn, and everyone sat wondering what he was doing. Even Naru looked a bit puzzled by his associate's behavior.
"Now as to why I have called you all here, if you will bear with me for a few minutes, I think you will understand." Lin glanced around the few people he could actually stand and withheld a smile. This should prove interesting…. He walked to the machine and flipped a switch. A benign blue light began flashing in the dark room.
"I want you to focus on the light." Breath please, with the light." He watched everyone. "Slowly, relax…" He kept his tone modulated and continued. "You feel sleepy, you can hear yourself breathing. Please count your breaths in your head." He waited for the group to reach the fully relaxed stage. He had only to wait another moment, before everyone slumped over.
He took a deep breath and began. "I am lifting the veil that your subconscious mind has placed over your memories near the hot spring." He glanced at everyone and then continued. "You will clearly remember all of your actions." He turned the blinking light off and moved to the wall, flipping on the lights. Everyone blinked, slowly waking up.
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Mai sat stunned by her own revelations. I kissed Lin. With dawning horror, she thought about the situation. Lin interrupted her thoughts.
"Taniyama-san, there are some details I need to clarify." He arrogantly left her no options, turning and heading for his office. She stood slowly and followed him. She glanced around to see that no one else was paying attention. She walked to his office, and entered behind him. He moved steadily around her to close the door.
She stood awkwardly, and could feel her cheeks heating up. She raised her eyes only to find Lin watching her.
"I…We…I mean…." Mai could not find the words to continue, and dropped her gaze to the carpet.
"Think nothing of it." Lin's words brought her head up. She stared at him in surprise.
"It was after all just the hot spring." He waved off her question before continuing. "If I hadn't sent my shiki to protect Brown-san and Hara-san, it never would have happened." His words were matter-of-fact and his tone casual, but Mai noticed something else in his eyes. Regret and some other un-named emotion that she couldn't place. She watched him closely until he blinked and the look was gone. Did I really just see that? She gave him a small smile.
"Thanks for clarifying that." She turned and opened his door, slipping out to find the other object of her thoughts. When the door closed, Lin sat heavily in his chair, closing his eyes for a moment. Naru, you may never know how much you owe me…but you really owe me a big one.
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When Mai returned to the main room, it was to find Masako and John speaking quietly. She noted that Masako looked a bit distressed, but John seemed to be reassuring her. Bou-san sat next to Ayako on the couch and they were laughing together. She realized they seemed to be fighting a lot less. What is going on? Her eyes kept roaming in search of one particular person. She spotted him slipping out the door.
He's leaving? Her heart plummeted clear down to her stomach. Therefore, our kiss meant nothing… She fought the tears burning at the back of her eyes, and wandered to her desk. There is plenty of paperwork to catch up on. She grabbed a stack of papers and marched to the filing cabinets. Lin chose that moment to reappear. He walked out from his office and glanced around the room.
"Hey where's Naru?" He asked the room at large. Everybody fell silent and looked towards Mai.
"He left." Her words spoken so simply, without any feeling, alerted Lin to her distress. He shrugged indifferently and slipped back into his office, keeping his mask in place until his door closed.
Mai turned back around and began filing once more. She used the monotony to keep her mind from wandering to painful questions. She ignored the curious looks thrown her way, pretending not to see everyone trying to get her attention.
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Mai put the last file in its place and let out a sigh. She turned around to find Takigawa regarding her with affection. He ruffled her hair and smiled.
"Mai-chan, Ayako wants you to come to lunch with us, our treat." He leaned closer and whispered for her ears only. "Please…she wants to cheer you up." Mai glanced up at him with surprise. He nodded with a soft smile. A small smile of gratitude graced Mai's face as she nodded in agreement.
Bou-san and Ayako took Mai to lunch at their favorite Ramen. There was no talk of the case, the hot spring or Naru. Mai sighed in relief as they made their way back to the office. By the time they arrived, John and Masako had left. She wandered to her desk and sat wondering what to do next, until something caught her eye.
On her desk lie a perfect peach rose. A small card leaned against it. Mai's eyes widened with surprise. Her hand trembled as she reached for the card. She opened the envelope and slid the card out. It simply read.
I cherish every moment.
There was no name signed, but she would know that writing anywhere. Her head lifted to stare at the room at large. Bou-san and Ayako had already left, Lin's door remained closed, but Naru's office door was open. She could see him clearly reading papers, until his gaze lifted to meet hers.
He wore his usual arrogant smirk, but his eyes held surprising warmth. She was about to speak when she was interrupted by the outer door opening. Madoka and Yasuhara entered together, chatting. Their eyes widened to see Mai sitting at her desk wearing a silly smile.
FIN