A/N: So sorry for the long wait! It was Spring Break and I was so busy! So here it is...finally...and sorry again it took me so long! Please enjoy! Thanks!

Naru genuinely smiled when he felt the girl's breathing even out and he felt her body completely relax; she was asleep. He had already secured the information on the case in his right hand so he would not need to move and disturb the sleeping girl.

"What do you think is the real reason for Mai-san's appearance this morning?" Lin spoke softly, careful not to wake her with his voice.

"I truly have no idea…" Naru said honestly. "I can't even begin to imagine what goes through her mind. Even if she is pretty easy to read…"

"It is unfortunate that her problems have to be put on hold for this case. We have so many other things that need to be dealt with." Lin spared a sideways glance at Naru to see his reaction. True to his character, Naru did not react…he merely looked deep in thought.

"Hn…" Naru responded wordlessly. "It seems we are just inundated with problems, aren't we?"

"So it would seem…" Lin agreed as he continued to drive.

-----

The rest of the drive was long and uneventful. Naru finished going through the case file and had fallen asleep after a lengthy two hours into the trip. Lin sighed as he glanced at the lovers. He was not one to get tired while driving long distances but even he was starting to feel sleepy looking at them.

Naru was leaning against the door, his head resting against his seat belt…his hand still resting protectively atop Mai's head. Lin sighed again. This was like the calm before a terrible storm…

"What a mess this is going to be…" Lin muttered to him self. He had just stopped, along with Bou-san, not 20 minutes ago to fill up their tanks. Naru and Mai didn't even stir, similarly neither did the sleeping passengers in the monk's car.

Lin knew all too well how things were likely going to transpire. It seemed that every time there was a step forward there was an equal force that nullified the progression…leaving things to rest close to where they had been before; virtually no improvement. They loved each other so much…it was obvious to anyone that knew the pair. Naru would easily give his life for the girl and Mai, as she already proved, would toss hers away without a second thought if it was in Naru's best interest.

Yet, much to Lin's annoyance, neither one seemed to be able to open up to the other. It was a fierce battle whenever either one confronted the other about things that remained hidden. Why couldn't they just open their hearts to one another?

Why couldn't they just be honest with each other?

-----

After many miles of weaving and winding roads, Lin and Bou-san pulled into the parking lot of the hotel. Even though Lin was used to driving and sitting still for long periods of time, the trip had taken its toll on his body. He was stiff all over; it felt good to finally stretch his legs.

"Naru…" he spoke in his normal deep monotone voice. "We have arrived." Lin thought it best to wake Naru before Bou-san and the others had a chance to get over to the van. He didn't need a cranky boss along with an already troubled teen to worry about.

Naru stirred and looked at Lin with clear eyes. "Already?" he questioned while looking down at the still slumbering Mai; his hand weaved through her hair tenderly.

Lin raised an inquisitive brow. "It was a four and a half hour trip…" Lin chuckled softly at the boy's reaction. It must have dawned on him that he had been sleeping deeply for most of the ride. "Bou-san is headed this way…I suggest you wake Mai-san and present yourself to the client." With that Lin left to intersect Bou-san and see if the others were awake yet, and to give Naru some time to coax the girl on his lap awake.

Naru looked down at Mai. She looked so calm and peaceful; he didn't want to wake her up. He wanted to let her sleep…let her recover from what ever it was that was bothering her…but they had a job to do. The sooner they got it done the sooner he could move on to his more pressing concerns.

"Mai" he brushed her hair from her face and let his hand rest against her cheek. "It's time to get up. We're here."

"Hnn…" Mai sounded but did not open her eyes. She didn't want to get up; she was so tired and it was warm and comfortable where she was.

"Mai" Naru spoke louder as he took hold of her shoulder with his other hand and guided her into a sitting position against his chest. "Wake up. We have a job to do."

Hearing Naru's stern work mode voice, Mai reluctantly cracked open her eyes the slightest bit. Sunlight immediately accosted her vision and she quickly closed her eyes once again. "Hnn…already?"

Naru sighed. "It has been almost five hours…" He smiled as the comment seemed to rouse Mai into a state of awareness. "I think you got a sufficient nap so let's get to work. You have already wasted enough time." With that Naru slid from the van and helped Mai down as well. His legs immediately protested the action but Naru ignored it as he made his way into the hotel. The stiffness would work its self out if he just moved a bit.

Mai lingered behind to wait for Lin and the others. They were slowly making their way to the entrance and she was more than glad to have some time to work and stretch out her legs before going into the building. 'I haven't slept so well in days…' A blush broke out across Mai's face as she remembered just where she had been sleeping. 'Naru's lap…'

A/N: Oh yes, Naru's lap...yum...

So yay! Some fluff and filler! But look forward to the next part! Please review! Thanks!