Behind Closed Doors

File 4: Shipwrecked (the aftermath)

Mai slouched lower onto the comfortable Victorian styled couch that sat in the den of the Davis household. For what felt like the first time during the entire trip, Mai relaxed, finally letting her muscles de-tense and her joints loosen (hearing a couple of pops and cracks as a result). She sighed, her weary eyes shutting of their own accord, the grandfather clock in the corner lulling her into a daze-like state.

"You're going to have a sore neck if you fall asleep there."

The familiar voice jolted her, but not even that shock was enough to pull Mai out of her position. Tilting her head back as far as possible without straining herself, the brunette was able to manage a soft smile for her boss. She patted the space next to her, "Come sit with me."

Naru obliged, coming to sit within a respectful distance away from his assistant. "I thought you of all people would be the first to head off to bed."

"I'm trying to stick it out," Mai chuckled a bit, "Luella-san wanted to talk to me about something, although I'm not sure what."

Naru tensed noticeably. He could only hope that it had nothing to do with Gene or that he and said deceased twin brother were, in fact, Luella and Martin's adopted sons. Or the fact that he happened to be a world-renowned psychic.

Mai noticed his sudden stiffness. Obviously Luella had a hold on some delicate information that her stoic boss did not want anyone else to know about. And Mai had the strangest feeling that it had something to do with a particular picture that she had seen in Martin's study their first day in England. "You okay?"

"It seems this case has taken a toll on everyone, including myself," he replied after a second of hesitation.

Knowing that his words were meant to get her off of the subject, Mai sighed, "Yes, this case was particularly exhausting."

"Speaking of which, how are you feeling?" Naru inquired casually.

"A lot better, actually," she played along with a smile, glancing over her aching body, "My bruises are starting to yellow, so that's good. I think this cut on my eyebrow is going to scar, though." The brunette ran her fingers over the scabbed skin, wincing.

When Mai didn't hear a reply, she looked up to her boss staring intently at her (and sitting a hell of a lot closer than before). "Naru? Are you sure you're okay?"

He leaned a bit closer. "Mai, I–"

"Oh, Shibuya-san, I thought you had already gone off to bed?" Luella's voice came from behind the couch. "Why don't you join Mai and myself for some tea?"

Naru gave his mother the hardest glare he could conjure. "No, I was just leaving."

"That's too bad," Luella said, not even trying to hide the knowing smile on her face. "Good night."

After Naru had left the room, Luella took his spot on the couch next to the brunette. "Oh, dear. Look at you, all beat up," she said, her voice more apologetic than Mai had intended, as she poured two cups of tea.

"Occupational hazard, I guess," Mai chuckled in an attempt to lighten the mood, reaching for her respective cup and saucer. Luella, however, looked at the younger girl somberly and Mai knew the mood hadn't lightened in the slightest.

"You need to go to a hospital, Mai."

Luckily, Mai had anticipated this suggestion and had come up with a response before hand. "You're concern is appreciated, but I've already caused Naru enough trouble to last a lifetime. If there is something wrong with me, I'd rather him not know about it," the brunette said timidly. "Ayako-san will probably give me a full examination when I get home anyway, whether I like it or not." She rolled her eyes.

Luella slumped in defeated, taking a sip of her own tea. "You have good friends. But do you not consider Shibuya-san a friend?"

Mai blushed at the elder woman's words. "I guess I'm not exactly sure how to describe our relationship. Naru merely sees me as his lazy, good-for-nothing, assistant that falls asleep on the job. I see him as…"

"Something more than a friend?"

"Oh, no! Naru and I can't even have a decent conversation without getting into an argument. I would hardly call us…'more than friends'."

"But you want to be," Luella suggested, much to Mai's embarrassment. Mai saw something shine in her eyes, but couldn't quite manage to place it.

"Is…this what you wanted to talk about?"

"No." The air of the room became tense as Luella's expression turned into one of seriousness. "No, not at all."

Mai waited, heart pounding and palms sweating, for the older woman's next response.

"I know you have questions concerning Shibuya-san. I am here to answer a few of them," she said hesitantly.

Mai sat in stunned silence for the next few seconds, letting the words register in her mind. She had a list as long as Santa's and was ready to shoot away. "Are you–"

Something stopped the words in her throat.

She couldn't do it – she felt as though asking these questions would betray Naru. Mai shook her head shamefully, "I can't…not like this. If Naru wants me to know, he'll tell me when he's ready."

Luella smiled with relief. "You're a good person."

"Perhaps too good," Mai replied jokingly.

"I'll walk you to your room." Luella smiled and they stood, their tea forgotten on the table. When they arrived at Mai's door, Luella paused once more, her hand gripping lightly at Mai's arm. "I know you feel that Noll sees you as nothing more than his assistant, but when the time comes…please stay by his side. You are the only one he has left, and I'm not sure he could handle the future without you."

Mai frowned. "What are you talking about?"

"Nothing," Luella smiled, "just remember what I said, okay?"

Mai watched as she disappeared around the corner and sighed. "What was that about?"

Mai blinked at the endless darkness before her eyes. It was one of those dreams, she concluded. But they had already finished their case…? Could it be that it wasn't over yet?

Suddenly an onslaught of static voices – mainly hers and Naru's – came out of nowhere.

"You'd better start looking for another job, Mai."

"What?"

"The office will be shut down upon my return."

"If you go back right now, you may never meet him again"

"All relationships eventually come to an end"

"Naru has always been searching for this place…"

The tears Mai hadn't realized coming pricked at her eyes, feelings of disbelief and shock coiled into the pit of her stomach.

What on earth is about to happen?