Chapter 36

After breakfast that morning, Jean waited patiently for her first case, only for the hours to drag by and the phone to remain silent. Noticing the bored look on her face, Narumi asked if there was anything he could do. She looked at him from the couch and asked if there was something she could do to occupy her time.

"I know it's not much but what about helping with the dishes? "He suggested and she agreed, at least until the phone rang. Walking over she turned on the tap and started to fill the kitchen sink with hot water. As she did Jean noticed just how quiet it was in the office. Once the sink was half filled, she carefully placed the dishes in the water and grabbed a towel. Alternating between washing and drying, she wondered where Raidou had gone. Gouto, who was lying on the desk, told her that he had left to tell the Herald what they had decided. With a nod she went back to the dishes, quietly humming to herself. Eventually the dishes were done and as she went to put them away, Jean realized she wasn't really sure just where they went. She walked back into the office, intending to ask Narumi, only to find him missing. She called out and getting no answer, asked Gouto if he'd seen him leave. Gouto informed her that Narumi had been heading for the roof only a few minutes ago. Thanking him, she was just about to go after her friend when the phone chose that moment to ring. Grabbing a pad and pencil from the desk draw she grabbed the phone mid ring. Jotting down the name, address and problem she told the caller she's be there in the next few minutes, replaced the receiver and hurried out the door. Gouto watched her go and wondered what Narumi would say when he returned. The sun was starting to set by the time Raidou returned. When he found Narumi looking frantic, he asked what was going one

"What's going on?" He asked and Narumi said something about Jean vanishing. Gouto looked up from his spot on the desk and casually told the summoner that Jean had left hours ago after the phone had rung. When he tried to tell Narumi this, the older detective asked how he knew.

"She wouldn't leave for any reason except a case. She probably got a call and rushed off. In her excitement she probably didn't think to tell you." Raidou said and Narumi seemed relieved. Right up until there was a flash of lightning outside that lit up the entire room in a brilliant flash of light. Racing over to the window he peered out and was shocked to see angry black clouds enveloping the sky. Then the heavens opened and it started to pour. Narumi stared out the window for a few seconds then leant his forehead against the window.

"It never rains but it pours." He muttered to himself.

"She'll be fine. You have to stop worrying about her so much." Raidou said and Narumi turned to face him.

"I just can't help feeling like something'll go wrong. Heh if Jean were here, she's scold me for being such a wet blanket." He replied. He turned back to the window, trying to see out. There was another lightning strike and then a loud rumbling could be heard from outside. Between the lightning and thunder Raidou, Narumi and Gouto combined didn't hear someone enter the building. As the door to the agency slowly opened, all three looked towards it. Wiping the water from her face, a very wet and bedraggled looking Jean asked if someone could hand her a towel.

A short time later…

"So how did it go?" Narumi asked, as Jean tried to dry her face as best she could.

"I did manage to find the demon that was causing the fires. I spoke to it and it actually apologized for all the trouble it had caused. It had only just learned how to use Maragi and so it was practicing. Unfortunately it caused some minor damage to a building and, scared at what it had done, ran away. I eventually tracked it down and convinced it to join me as an ally. In the end I told the client that it had been an accident and the one who caused the fire turned himself in." Jean explained.

"Probably wouldn't have believed it was a demon anyway." Narumi cut in, watching her.

"I did say that Jean would be fine." Raidou pointed out and Jean grinned.

"You were worried about me? " Jean commented. She shivered suddenly, water beginning to drip down her neck. With a frustrated sigh, Jean told her friends that she was going to take a hot shower and try to get warm. Narumi handed her a towel then realized Jean had nothing to change into apart from a torn up dress or a bloodstained t-shirt. Jean had come to the same conclusion and was about to forgo the shower altogether when Narumi had an idea. Going to the closet he rummaged around and soon came up with a shirt and pants, part of the original suit he wore during the Soulless army case file. Minus the butter stains of course. Wordlessly he handed them to Jean and she took them gratefully. Thanking him, Jean disappeared into the bathroom. After turning on the taps in the shower she got undressed and stood under the spray. She wasn't in there for more than a few minutes when everyone heard her scream. As a group they raced towards the door. Worried Narumi had almost barged in when Raidou stopped him and instead called out, asking if she was okay. After a moment or two they heard the water being turned off. To their relief Jean called out and told them that the water had suddenly gone from hot to freezing. That's why she had screamed, having been taken by complete surprise. Standing just behind the door, she managed to wrap herself in a towel. It's always something, she thought to herself, and called out that she'd be out soon. Hurriedly she dried herself and got dressed in record time. As soon as she emerged, now dressed in Narumi's shirt and pants, she noticed Raidou and Narumi both standing in the hallway. Puzzled she asked them what had happened.

"We heard you scream. I thought something had happened." Narumi answered, looking a little shaken. "Please don't scare me like that." Jean was about to make a joke but thought better of it, seeing just how worried her friends looked.

"I was just surprised. You'd freak too if it happened to you." Jean commented and Narumi snorted, pointing out that he didn't scream. Instead of making a sarcastic comment, Jean decided to just let it drop. Taking a seat on the couch she tried again to towel dry her hair. While she did this, she noticed Narumi looking more than a bit stressed. He seemed preoccupied by something.

"Is something the matter?" She asked him and he jumped, startled. That took everyone in the room by surprise. When he did speak, Jean noticed how he didn't meet her eyes.

"Sorry, I guess my mind was elsewhere. What did you say?"

Jean could tell something was bothering him and she wished he would just come out and say what was on his mind. Gouto then explained that Narumi had been scared that something would happen to her. That threw her through a loop. Wondering why, Jean soon realized that she had taken off without so much as a note.

"I'm sorry." Were the first words out of her mouth. "I should have told you where I was going. I could have, at the very least, told you that I was out on a case." Narumi just nodded and seemed happier now that Jean had apologized. Everything at the agency was back to normal. Sadly the peace only lasted until the following morning.

Narumi had actually woken up just before sunrise that morning and was watching the morning sun light up the sky. Feeling more at peace then he had in weeks, he dressed and headed down the hallway. As he was about to walk into the office he heard a noise. He stood there, still as a statue as he tried to work out where it was originating from. Whatever it was, it seemed to be coming from the office. Careful he stepped forward and leaned in slowly to peer into the room. That's when he saw Jean sitting on the couch, a blanket wrapped tightly around her. He was just about to ask if she had heard anything when she sneezed without warning. Concerned he moved towards her. As he stepped closer Narumi noticed the dark circles under her eyes and the pallor of her face. Once at the couch he sat down beside her and asked what was wrong. Jean tried to answer and this set off a coughing fit. He leaned over and started rubbing her back. Eventually the coughing subsided and Jean managed a thank you, her voice no louder than a whisper. Narumi placed his palm on her forehead and found that she was burning up with a fever.

"You're sick." He said, his hand still on her forehead and Jean narrowed her eyes, as if to say "Gee, you think?". She tried to speak and found herself unable to utter a word. Narumi asked her a question and Jean pointed to her throat. Not understanding, Narumi again asked the same question. This time she placed her index finger on her throat, hoping he would get the message. Still unsure Narumi was about to repeat himself for a third time, which would have earned him a smack in the head, when Raidou finally walked in and told him what Jean had been trying to explain.

"She's lost her voice, Shouhei. That's why she keeps pointing to her throat." Narumi stared at her for a moment then went pink.

"Oh so that's why she hasn't been answering me. My mistake." Narumi said and Jean rolled her eyes. She went to stand up and he put a hand on her shoulder, preventing her from standing. Jean tried again and found she was unable to push him away. Noticing the confused expression on her face, Narumi explained that she was probably weak from her illness. Jean gave a slight nod, all at once feeling helpless. Somehow reading her thoughts Narumi removed his hand.

"You're not useless. You just feel that way because you're sick. "He said and Jean looked at him, surprised that he knew what she was thinking. She lightly tapped her forehead, seemingly asking him if he could read minds. Not sure what she was trying to say, Narumi looked towards Raidou. He said that Jean was asking if Narumi could read minds now. Narumi laughed slightly, shaking his head before remembering it was only Jean who couldn't talk. Unable to laugh at him, Jean poked him in the head as if to say he was an idiot.

"I think I know how to help." Narumi said and went to his desk. When he found a notepad and paper he rejoined Jean. Handing them to her, he asked if she could write down what she wanted to say. Jean jotted something down then showed it to her friends. Right at the top of the pad she had written the following:

Good idea Narumi. Even if it's a little late.

As soon as Narumi had read her words he shrugged. Raidou gave a slight smile and Gouto was impressed that Jean could be sarcastic even on paper. Narumi stood up and asked if she needed anything. Thinking for a moment she wrote something down and handed the pad to him.

"A glass of water. Thanks." Narumi read aloud. He nodded and walked over to the sink. As he did Jean stood up and stretched. As she did Jean started to feel lightheaded. Noticing how pale she looked Raidou asked if she was feeling alright. Jean made an attempt to speak but nothing came out. Narumi had just returned with her water when he saw how pale Jean's face was.

"You don't look so good. Maybe you should sit down." He suggested as he placed the glass on the desk and started towards her. To his disbelief Jean's eyes suddenly rolled back into her head and she started to fall towards the floor. Narumi rushed forward and managed to catch her in his arms. He carried her over to the couch and set her down. Gently shaking her shoulder and getting no response, Narumi wondered what to do. Raidou pointed out that she had most likely passed out due to her fever and probably just needed some rest. Narumi agreed but couldn't help feeling worried. Unable to wake her he decided to just let her be.

"I guess there's nothing I can do for her until she wakes up. Wish I known how sick she was." He sighed.

"It's just a cold, Narumi. Don't get so worked up." He said and Narumi actually glared at him. To both Raidou and Gouto's surprise he stormed out, heading for the roof. Raidou watched him go and Gouto wondered what was the detective's problem was. Meanwhile Narumi was pacing back and forth on the roof of the Gin= building, angry at Raidou and himself.

"How can he be so calm? I mean, Jean just collapsed like that. Doesn't he give a crap about her?" He said aloud. As he paced he realized that he was probably overreacting. He stopped pacing for a moment and wondered what he should do.

"Not much. Just keep checking on her until she wakes up. It's only the flu. I think." He said and then shook his head. "Maybe I should just try and calm down. But she's unconscious." He started pacing again, unable to figure out what he should do. He was still there when Raidou joined him.

"Stressing yourself out isn't helping. I know you're worried about Jean and this doesn't help." He said and Narumi stopped in his tracks. After a moment or two he apologized for storming out. Deciding to check on Jean, even if he couldn't do much more then make her comfortable, he left the roof and headed back inside. Raidou followed him a short time later.

End of chapter 36