Chibi-Kari: Well I was hoping more people were still around than showed up to review last chapter. I'm really excited that the Unlucky Series will be coming back into circulation! I've been chosen as one of Edi's beta's and from what I understand I hope to start proofing for her next month! It is one of the best Ghost Hunt fanfiction series I've read on the site! Please check her stuff out if you haven't read it! And please leave me a message after the button. PS I don't own! Although I wish I owned a Pizza Express and a Pret.

Alive Part 2

Chapter 3

Gene didn't realize his stomach could literally fall to the floor, but as soon as her voice rang out through the hallway he was certain the floor was right where it was lay. It was one thing to fight with his brother, which was long in coming. It was another thing to fight over Mai, which was probably to be expected also. But to fight over Mai with his brother in front of her. Well, that wasn't something he had ever wanted to do. Mai had this knack for blaming herself for anything and everything. Things that weren't even in her control she found a way to hold inside and twist until she truly believed it was her fault. It was what made her such a kind person, but it was also what made her so dangerous. She was unpredictable because he never quite knew what she was thinking.

Today, he didn't have to guess. She thought it was her fault that he and Noll where fighting. That couldn't be farther from the truth. Granted, she was the catalyst, but this was something that had been lurking under the surface for years. The two had set up roles for each other. Noll would control the situation and take the lead. Gene would smooth things over with the rest of the world and roll over anytime Noll wanted something. He always had to keep his brother in check. He had to smile and understand. Quite frankly, he was sick of understanding. The only thing he wanted to do right now was punch his brother in between the eyes. Someone needed to knock some sense in him and make him realize he couldn't just treat people however the hell he wanted to and get away with it. Noll was infuriating and Gene just happened to be taking his stand when it came to Mai. His brother had treated her abysmally for years and now he thought he could stake a claim on her? Gene was the one that cared. Gene was the one that loved her. Noll could rot in the literal or metaphorical hell for all he cared. He was sick of being the understanding and giving twin. He was going to be selfish for once and Noll would just have to shut up and roll over this time.

"Mai, don't be silly." Luella smiled over at her boys. "I'll kick them out before you ever leave."

Mai's eyes widened and he mouth hung open slightly. Gene couldn't help but glance at his brother. It seemed they were both mentally sharing Mai's expression. Their mother never joked about things like that.

Luella's eyes tore through the two boys menacingly. "In fact, they are both above the age of consent. Normal kids would be taking their gap year and living on their own in some exotic place making their way before continuing on to university. Both of my dear boys have advanced degrees already and are considered men in polite society. I'd say it's about time they move out and support themselves. At least for a year."

"I did take a gap year, Mother. Remember me gallivanting off to Japan at age 17?" Gene almost wished he could take those words back as Mai flinched. The reality of that trip was very different for his family than it was for Mai and himself, but it made his point. He wouldn't let her try to use such a weak argument against him. Maybe he wasn't as headstrong or believed in logic quite as much as his brother, but he wouldn't let the wool be pulled over his eyes.

"Gene, dear, that was two months and you didn't really have a job. You were acting medium for some of your father's friends. You should have been working at a Pret A Manger or something, supporting yourself and living in a flat with five other people."

"They don't have Pret in Japan." Gene mumbled to himself.

Luella raised an eyebrow in challenge. "It's the idea of the matter, dearest. You know I don't mean literally. Gap year is about learning to struggle on your own and start fresh."

Noll stepped forward with a counter argument. "We did do that when we went looking for Mai. Gene, Lin, and I opened the Japanese branch of the SPR. It was lucrative and we lived on our own."

Martin shook his head. "Starting your own business is admirable, boys, but Lin played chaperone and once again it defeats the purpose of gap year." He shook his head again. "Why are we even talking about gap year? I'm certain that wasn't where you were going with this, Luella."

She nodded slightly before turning back to Mai. "You have worked so hard and given up so very much. I know you've taken care of yourself since before you were even a teenager and it is probably hard to let us take care of you, but you have to let me. It's all I could ever do to repay you." Luella was always one for the dramatics, but she truly loved the girl like her own. She leaned closer to the small girl who still found herself unable to shake the shock from the idea of the Davis twins being kicked out of their own house. "And truth be told I always wanted a daughter over a son." She smiled brightly and squeezed Mai's shoulder gently.

"I couldn't-" Mai started to protest. She had felt a little uncomfortable taking all the generosity and attention from the Davis parents. Neither of the twins had said anything to make her think that it took away from the attention that they were normally given or expected, but she couldn't help but feel bad about the situation. She knew what it was like to lose the attention of parents. Granted both of her parents had died, but she knew that hollow feeling that went along with it.

And it seemed that both of the Davis' instinctively saw that and were trying to fill the hole. Luella spent the hours that Mai wasn't in testing, shopping or just talking with her. Mai hadn't realized how much she missed having a mother until Luella came into her life. She always supposed Ayako was the closest to a mother she would get again, but now that she had this experience she could see that Ayako was the older sister type. Luella was most definitely a mother. And Martin was more than a father. Sometimes she couldn't even remember her father. His face was vague because he had died when she was so young. But Martin filled a hole she didn't even know existed. In the months she was living with him he easily slipped into the role and seemed to revel in it. She guessed the twins never gave him much of a chance to father them. They were too "mature" for their own good. She asked his advice and he was more than happy to give it and encourage her. He had already signed her up for a tutor so she could get her A-levels and he had already started talk of university and which ones he thought would suit her best. When she had argued about the money it would take to attend any of them he simply waved his hand and continued like she hadn't spoken. It was obvious he had already decided that he and Luella would be putting her through all of her schooling. He seemed to genuinely care about her and when she had stated that she'd like to study psychology she was almost certain he was going to burst with pride. The next day when she had gone to his study to ask for help on a maths question she was met with stacks of information on all of the psychology programmes in the UK.

Martin waved his hand as he cut off her statement. "I already consider you a daughter and I couldn't have you moving out on your own, especially with your exams coming up so soon." He ignored as both of his sons turned to him in question. Neither needed to know about Mai's schooling so he simply hadn't told them. It was between him, Mai, and Luella. "And to tell the truth, I almost agree with Luella about letting the boys experience life on their own. They certainly need to mature a bit. I've never been so embarrassed by them before. You should have seen and heard them, Lue. It was like watching twelve year olds go at it in a school yard."

"Oh, I didn't need to see it. I most certainly could hear it. You two need to remember that observation rooms are not sound proof, especially when the intercom is on."

Noll had never felt so embarrassed in his entire life. Oliver Davis didn't embarrass himself and yet here he was acting like a child in front of colleagues and a girl that he most certainly did not want knowing about any childish behavior. He tried to stand up straighter and steadied his expression. He didn't want to make the situation any worse than it already was. And he most certainly didn't want to get kicked out of his house over his spat with his brother. "Mum. Dad. I'm sorry. Gene and I got a little heated, but it won't happen again. And Mai, please don't leave on our accounts." He felt the need to add something about her not taking it to heart, but he couldn't bring himself to. He didn't know her enough and it simply wasn't in his character. He always left that to Gene, although right now he wasn't sure he wanted to. He had a sneaking suspicion that Gene was acting like a divorced parent whispering in the ear of their child; like he was attempting to get them to choose favorites.

Mai eyed him warily. Naru was so similar to who he was in the old life, yet different. Old Naru wouldn't be caught dead apologizing to anyone and would not get in an argument even if his life depended on it. Yet he was still a man of little words and immense pride. And no matter how much she tried to ignore it he still was able to draw her in with a simple look. He radiated this strength and this ability to protect that she longed for. He looked almost the same; just a few years older and those years were very kind to him. The biggest difference that she could see was the look in his eyes. Even in his unhappiness with the situation she could see a light there that was absent with the death of his brother. She almost wanted to laugh sometimes. It was easier to love this Naru and she didn't even know him. She saw Gene fidget out of the corner of her eye and immediately felt bad. She loved Gene like a brother and she wasn't blind to his feelings towards her. It would be so easy to love him the way he want if his brother wasn't around. So easy.

"Yes, Mum, Dad, I apologize also. We should have waited to settle our differences in private and in a calm manner. And Noll, I'm sorry you think I've been hiding Mai from you." Gene smiled brightly at Mai. "And Mai, please don't think of moving out. I know my parents love having you around and you know I do to. I'm sorry for the way Noll and I have been acting. I never meant to make you feel bad."

Martin closed his eyes tightly. Gene's choice of words were not lost on him. He apologized for both of them, but then firmly left his brother out when it really came down to it. When it really mattered. He was subtly implying that Noll had meant to make her feel bad. It was passive aggressive and something he hadn't ever seen Gene do flat out. He was starting to feel like Noll's anger was more founded than he originally thought. Gene seemed to think he had the disadvantage and was doing anything to overcome that. Leaving Noll with no idea on how to react. He couldn't get too involved. The boys did need to settle it themselves, but he couldn't leave things the way they were. Both boys obviously needed a fair chance and hiding Mai away wasn't giving Naru one. At this rate, though, he was starting to hope she would choose neither of them. It would serve them right. "We won't kick you boys out, yet, but I do believe you need an attitude adjustment especially around Mai. We aren't going to play this little game you two have started. And I think the best way to do that is by going out to dinner as a family."

Luella clapped her hands together. "Pizza Express!"

"Mum." Noll complained lowly shaking his head. If his mother could go there every day, she would. He didn't see what was so great about the pizza place.

"I love their dough balls and I haven't taken Mai there yet! Oh it's wonderful, Mai, you'll love it! Lin would you like to get dinner with us?"

Lin glanced at the small group in the hallway. He could tell this dinner was going to be trouble, but he did want to know how Mai did during the experiment since he was forced to miss it. His small nod elicited a squeal of glee from Luella who latched on to Mai's arm and started to tug her out of the building. He began to follow before glancing back at the two twins, who were still glaring at each other. It was going to be a long night.

TBC