Yikes

Disclaimer: Nah

"What do you mean I'm 'no help to the team'?" Ayako's shrill shout startled me from my sleep. I jerked awake in the chair and saw her and Monk arguing near the doorway. John had seemingly given up on being the mediator for today, as he was sat with Lin and Masako at the table. I joined them and noted John's attire.

"Are we exorcising the spirit today?" John nodded and ran his fingers over his rosary.

"Naru believes that the spirit of the husband is haunting this place, that's why he drew you to the water." He averts his gaze as Lin clears his throat.

"But why would the spirit want to hurt me? Don't vengeful spirits go after people who remind them of the people they want revenge on? I've never been unfaithful to anyone."

"Not everyone sees it that way." My eyes snapped to the chinese man in shock. "Some spirits will take anyone they can to haunt," he continued. Masako nodded in agreement.

"Although if there is someone who reminds them of their original target, they will latch onto them. But usually they express much more anger," she added.

"Are you two done yet, or did you want to waste the entire day at each other's' throats?" Naru asked from in front of the monitors. I spun in my seat to look at him, not having noticed him when I first woke up. His nose was still a bit swollen, and maybe a tiny bit crooked. I smiled and waved shyly as he looked over to the table where we sat.

He acknowledged me with a nod before turning his gaze to John. "It's time to begin."

"I just don't think it's fair I have to wait outside in this heat! Everyone else gets to be at the base, why can't I?" I whined as Monk and Naru walked me down the stairs. My burns had healed enough that the walk down wasn't as daunting as the trip up, but nobody wanted to take any chances.

"Because everyone else isn't a danger magnet," Naru said, tossing a pointed look over his shoulder at me. Monk chuckled and lightly nudged my arm as he walked beside me.

"You hafta admit it, whenever you're at the scene things do get complicated." I huffed and stuck my tongue out at my boss behind his back. We continued down passed the third floor where Ayako was helping John set up for his exorcism. Once we reached the lobby Naru's walkie buzzed as Lin asked if it was safe to proceed.

"Takigawa, escort Mai outside and make sure she stays there," Naru said as he turned to go back up the stairs while pulling his walkie out to respond. Monk groaned but did as he was told anyways, joining me out in the sweltering heat.

"So, do you think the summer heat's gonna break soon?" I asked as Monk searched for some shade to sit in. I joined him on the hot soil, grateful to be off my feet.

"It should, fall's coming in soon." I nodded for a moment as we fell into a comfortable silence. A few minutes passed before I got bored.

"How do you think it's going in there?" Monk sighed.

"Well, John definitely hasn't finished yet, and I don't think Masako was too happy with the idea of an exorcism in the first place. So probably not too well."

"Geez, what has you so grumpy today?" I humphed, resting back on my hands as my legs sprawled out in front of me.

He sighed again then rested his heavy hand on my head. "You're right, bou-san! I've been letting this heat get me down. Well no more!" I pushed his hand away with a laugh.

"Alright already, no need to make my head even hotter." He chuckled and we fell into our usual easy conversation. That is, until Monk's phone rang.

"Naru?" I watched as his face turned sour, "I'll be right up." He closed his phone with a snap and sprung up from the grassy shade.

"Stay here." His words were crisp and gave no room for argument, which is why I waited until he was inside to jump up after him. The door to the stairway was swinging shut as I stepped into the lobby, hurrying my way across the cooled room. I started up the stairs with little difficulty, but it got harder as I approached the third floor. I fell against the door with my full wait, my legs shaky and tired, as if I had weights attached to my ankles. Monk had joined John, fending off what looked like wisps as the blonde boy continued his exorcism. I gasped as one of the wisps dived for John, stopped just in time by Monk. But still, John paused as each one attacked. At my slight noise, the wisps' attention turned to me. I groaned as they became more agitated.

"I should've stayed outside." I murmured as the object of their almost-attacks switched. I held onto the doorway, eyes squeezed shut as Monk helped keep them off of me. With the distraction gone, John was able to carry on uninterrupted. His voice rose as he came to the end, shouting over the din of the wisps attacks and Monk's defense. As he came to a finish, a loud screeching came from the hot spring. All three of us looked on as the wisps met in the water, joining to reveal the spirit of the scorned husband.

With a final scream, he was gone, leaving a trail of steam rising from the water. My legs no longer felt weighted, and I stood without the support of the door. John sighed, relieved or saddened I couldn't tell. I smiled sheepishly at Monk, who stood with his arms crossed staring at me.

"You're welcome?" I chuckled nervously.

"I cannot believe I'm stuck on desk duty for two weeks! How could you let this happen?" I cried, staring in betrayal at Monk, who just shrugged in response.

"Maybe next time you'll stay out of the way," He said with a smirk. I pouted as I loaded the box in my arms into the van.

"I don't see why we had to turn down the Sato's offer to dinner," I wrapped my arms around my stomach, "My poor tummy will never forgive me." Monk chuckled and shut the van doors, turning to get into his own car.

"I'm sure you'll live, Mai." I glared at him as I climbed into the back of the van, Lin already in the driver's seat.

"There's some crackers in the glove compartment." He muttered as I went to fasten my seatbelt. My eyes snapped to his in the rearview mirror, and I jumped into action. I was stretched across the middle of the front two seats, opening the glove compartment when Naru opened the passenger side door. I paused momentarily as he stared at me, meeting his gaze with a sheepish smile. I quickly grabbed the crackers and sat back in my seat, leaving the glove compartment open.

Naru stood for a moment outside of the van, before shutting the drawer and climbing into his seat. I opened my crackers and popped one in my mouth, very happy.

"Is she really going to dedicate a whole chapter to an awkward dinner?" "How is she going to squeeze that dinner into this chapter without making it too rushed" Ha, finessed my way out of that one. Okay well I know that technically this chapter was rushed anyways, and had way too many scene breaks, but c'mon! It's been almost a year and I just realized! I swear I thought it had been maybe three months! Conclusion: I'm a mess.

I'm so sorry to everyone who waited for this new chapter, Time escaped me. I haven't given up on it, though! So expect more out soon!