"Mai! Lin!" Bou-san exclaimed as they made their way into ICU.

"How is he?" the girl asked.

The monk shook his head. "Not good. The burns were severe. They will take several months to heal, if they heal at all."

"Skin grafts?" Lin enquired.

"He's in surgery right now," he replied. "Ayako's with him."

Mai slumped to the floor. "This is all my fault... Why didn't I tell anyone? Why couldn't I stay awake?"

Bou-san sank next to her, putting his arm around her. "Hey. It's not your fault Mai. Nobody blames you."

"Naru does," she muttered.

"Bah! Naru!" the monked laughed wryly. "That boy is so far up his own ass he can see his own tonsils."

Lin snorted, and Mai smiled weakly.

"Seriously though. I don't blame you. Ayako doesn't blame you..." Bou-san said.

"I don't blame you either," Lin said. "And I know John wouldn't."

"Exactly," Bou-san finished.

"Thanks guys," Mai said. "But I know if I had just spoken up..."

Neither man could think of anything further to say, until a nurse passed by. Lin stopped her and asked if there was anywhere to rest. She pointed them in the direction of the 'family and friends' room.

The Chinese man scooped Mai, exhausted, into his arms and carried her to a sofa.

"Get some rest, Mai," he said softly.

The girl nodded vaguely, yawned, and closed her eyes. Within a minute, she was out.

"Takigawa-san, could we speak outside for a moment?" Lin asked.

The monk nodded and they stepped into the hall, where Lin regaled him with the events which had occurred at the base.

"That slimy bastard!" Bou-san exclaimed.

"I'm almost certain he didn't mean it..." the Chinese man said in Naru's defense.

"Have you ever known him to say anything he didn't mean?"

"Well, no-" he started.

"I didn't think so," the monk said.

Ayako came out of the OR and shook her head, mumbling to herself.

"What's up doc?" Bou-san asked in an effort to lighten the mood.

"That was almost funny Houshou," she replied mutedly.

"What's the prognosis then?" Lin asked solemnly.

She sighed. "His hands will heal, given enough time, but the trauma sent his body into shock. He's in a coma."

"May I see him?" the Chinese man asked, suddenly in a panic.

Ayako nodded, bewildered by the unprecedented disturbance in his calm. As he rushed past her, she turned to her lover, her question written clearly on her face.

"Search me," the monk replied.