I found myself in the blackness once again, but this time felt different. I remembered who I was and the blackness didn't seem as suffocating as it once had. However, I was afraid to venture far, for fear I would get lost and not find my way. My arms tried to grab anything they could reach, but they touched nothing but cool air. I tentatively moved forward, constantly looking over my shoulder for some sign, but all I could see was endless black.

Some time had passed but once again time was irrelevant; no indication of it's passing anywhere. I was walking around in no particular direction, when a sudden pull made me turn around to look over my shoulder once more. I eyed the darkness warily, but strengthened my resolve. I changed direction and started walking with purpose, my instincts guiding me. Soon that purpose felt like desperation and I started to run. I ran and I ran and it felt like my lungs were going to burst, when suddenly light hit me like a solid wall.

I stared into the light, too desperate for breath to close my eyes and shield them from the sudden sensitivity. My hands grabbed at my chest and my throat trying to pull at them to allow more room for air, but I was too frantic. The onslaught of light burned both my eyes and my lungs. Suddenly, noise started making its way into my ears over top of my gasping.

"-ai! Mai! Yasu! Get a doctor! Monk help me hold her down!" I turned my head frantically to see who the voice belonged to. I realized that the light I was seeing was the light above me. Dark shadows floated closely on the edge of my vision. Soon, color invaded my sight and I was able to distinguish shapes. I took in details as well as I could while gasping for air. I was in the hospital and in a bed. Ayako was the one barking orders and I realized that she and Monk were trying to pull my hands away from my chest. I tried to tell them to let me go but without air in my lungs all I could manage were a few painful grunts. Air refused to fill my lungs and my throat burned.

Ayako grabbed my face and forced me to look into her eyes, trying to calm me down. "Mai, look at me. You are in the hospital. You're safe. There is a tube in your throat, but you need to breathe. In. Out. In. Out."

She kept repeating those two words, gently brushing my hair out of my face. I don't know how I managed, but I finally was able to sync my breath with her words. The rest of my body fell into the relaxed rhythm of my breathing and the tension slowly disappeared.

No sooner had she calmed me, doctors and nurses burst into the room and pulled Ayako from my side. I tried to remain calm as they invaded my space. They poked and prodded and talked about me as if I wasn't there. They took my blood pressure and checked my vitals. They removed my breathing tube which I was incredibly thankful for, and allowed me to slowly sip water. I answered their questions with nods and shakes, unable to find my voice yet. I was whisked away for CT scans, ekgs, blood work, and so much more it all blurred together.

By the time they finished I was ready to fall asleep, or cry. I wasn't sure what I was closer to at the moment. I hadn't seen anyone from SPR since the doctors pulled me away, and I was worried that they had left. Almost as if they were summoned, Ayako and Monk quietly came into the room. They pulled some chairs close to my bed and Ayako took my hand.

"How are you feeling?"

I tried to find my voice and I was able to manage a quiet, gruff "Okay." Noting their sad smiles, I took in the rest of their appearance. They looked worn out and stressed. Ayako had bags under her eyes. I was surprised she wasn't wearing a lot of makeup, and that she was wearing a sweatshirt instead of her glamorous clothes. I glanced at Monk and noted he not only sported dark circles under his eyes, but also the beginning of a beard.

"Monk, how long has it been since you shaved?" He wasn't expecting that question and he rubbed his face in thought. "I don't know kiddo… a week? It's definitely been a while." His eyes looked distant as he tried to remember.

A week, huh? I knew that I must have been here for a while considering the bits of conversation from the doctors. But I didn't ask them any questions, too afraid to hear the answers. But now I had to know.

"How long was I unconscious this time?" Silence met my question.

"Monk? Ayako?" I heard my voice heighten in pitch in response to my growing fear. I sent myself into a coughing fit, and I was offered more water and looks of concern. After I was able to calm down again, I looked to them for answers. Ayako gripped my hand tighter. "Mai, you've been unconscious for almost 7 weeks. We thought you weren't coming back this time." The sadness in her eyes shook me.

7 weeks? What happened? The last thing I remembered doing was a seance with Reika, but that was all. "Masako insisted you were still with us, that your soul was still on this earth waiting to return to your body, but all of the medical equipment and doctors determined you were brain dead. There were absolutely no brain waves and you had to be put on a ventilator to keep your lungs moving. It wasn't until a few days ago that the monitors picked up any brain activity. Honestly, you waking up was a medical miracle."

Unshed tears shone in her eyes. Monk nodded his head solemnly beside her. "Masako insisted your soul was still on earth, just far away. Where were you Mai? What took you so long?"

I shook my head, unable to give them an answer. I didn't want to talk about my time in the darkness. I didn't want to lie to them, but for some reason the darkness felt too personal and too emotional to talk about. I needed some time to think about what happened. 7 weeks? How? This whole situation is overwhelming. It seems like yesterday we were having a seance.

Instead I just shook my head, unable to answer her question.

A moment of silence passed before I asked about the case. "What happened? To Reika and the club?" They looked at each other and Ayako seemed to tread cautiously. "Well, do you remember the seance?" I nodded, encouraging her to go on. "We had been sitting at the table, talking to Reika, when suddenly she became upset. You were holding hands with her, and it was like she transferred from Masako's body to yours through touch. She took over your body, and tried to attack us. We weren't sure what to do. Monk and Naru restrained you, and John had started to try and exorcise her from your body when… well… Masako stopped everyone." Ayako was beginning to become choked up and I was afraid of what she was going to say next. Monk held her hand and encouraged her to continue.

"Masako said that Reika had converged with your soul and it was not a simple possession. If she hadn't stopped John from exorcising her, Mai, you could've died. If your souls were one and John banished hers, you could've been banished as well!" Ayako broke down in tears and Monk hugged her tight.

I quietly watched Monk comfort Ayako and waited to hear more. Monk took over the rest of the story as he held Ayako close. "It was a close call, Mai. John had been halfway through the exorcism before he was stopped. We didn't know what to do. Naru and I continued to restrain you but we didn't know how to make her leave. Masako said it was like your soul was disappearing and we were panicking. Reika refused to leave. It was a nightmare. But John, oh man. He suddenly became so serious and he commanded her to leave. I had never seen him so intense. He told us to hold you down and he splashed you with holy water and recited a prayer in a language I couldn't understand. I don't even think it was Latin like his usual prayers. It was… somehow… more intense and honestly, slightly terrifying. But whatever he did it separated her from your body and I exorcised her before she could hurt you again. Before you say anything! I know how you feel about exorcisms; always wanting to cleanse a spirit before the last resort, but none of us were going to risk her hurting you." Monk had become so intense towards the end that all I could do was nod my head in understanding. I wish it could have ended differently for Reika, especially after the horrible life she had endured, but I could never discount Monk's feelings if he truly believed that he was protecting me. I reached over and gripped his hand, to let him know how thankful I was. Sometimes the words 'I love you' just can't do our feelings justice.

After a few moments of silence he continued to relay the events. Apparently, my body had collapsed after the separation, and had difficulty breathing. I was rushed to the hospital and put on oxygen, but my brain activity had ceased. The doctors had determined me braindead, and in a vegetative state. At this point Ayako started crying again, and I even teared up at seeing her so distressed. With her being a doctor, she couldn't deny what the medical devices were determining. But Masako said I was still alive; far away but alive. Everyone put their faith in her and kept me connected to a ventilator.

I don't know how she knew, but I owed her so much gratitude. Her and John - they both saved my soul from disappearing or from being exorcised. To think that could still be stuck in the darkness… I shuddered at the thought.

After a week, Ayako had me transferred to her family's hospital closer to home. Everyone had started taking shifts at my bedside, watching for changes or any indication that my soul was alive. Naru had contacted Lin for assistance, and everyone else had contacted their colleagues asking for help or any information that could bring me back. At this point I finally broke down into tears. Hearing that everyone had kept vigil and exhausted themselves doing what they could to help me; it was too much. My heart swelled with such much pride and love for the people who refused to give up on me.

Once I calmed down, Ayako and Monk continued on. It was almost like hearing a fairy tale; the fact that this all happened to me was just unbelievable. About a week ago, I had suddenly woken up and my brain activity resumed normal function, but I had passed out again moments after waking. Yasu had been present at the time, and he called everyone. Masako had immediately come to the hospital and declared that my soul had returned to my body.

I shook my head in disbelief. "So what happened then? It's been a week since then, right?" Ayako laughed. "Well, I can tell you that every doctor in this hospital has been in this room. They just couldn't believe that you suddenly had brain activity that was registering as normal. They are men and women of science and medicine - they just couldn't believe your recovery." Monk chuckled. "Aren't you also a woman of science and medicine?" Ayako rolled her eyes. "I don't limit myself to what we can see or touch." She grabbed my hand and held it tight. "Sometimes the supernatural and miracles cannot be explained by science, regardless of what Naru tries to prove with his research." I giggled at the thought.

Sitting there, sifting through everything they just told me, I vaguely remembered them telling Yasu to get the doctor. "Was Yasu here? I thought you told him to get a doctor?" Ayako blew her nose and nodded her head. "Yes, Yasu and Masako were just getting ready to leave so we could take over, when you woke up." I nodded in understanding. "So where is he now?" "He and Masako stayed during all of your tests but the doctors refused to let them see you. We only were able to because we had power of attorney and I threatened the doctors with termination if they didn't let me through." Monk barked out laughter at this and Ayako elbowed him in the ribs. I couldn't contain my own giggles, which sent me into another coughing fit.

Ayako passed me another glass of water and continued. "I told him to call everyone and let them know. But I told him to tell everyone not to come, and that any updates we would let them know immediately. You need your rest." I pouted at this ready to argue but a yawn took over instead. Monk chuckled and patted my head. "You've slept for weeks and yet you're still tired. Good thing Naru isn't here to see this." I rolled my eyes and yawned again. Monk pulled the covers up as Ayako brushed hair out of my face. She smiled down at me and started to move away when suddenly fear latched onto my heart.

What if I closed my eyes and I was back in the darkness unable to wake up?

I grabbed her wrist as anxiety washed over me. "Wait! Please don't leave me alone!"

I could hear desperation in my voice and I must have startled her. Her eyes were wide and she nervously glanced around to Monk. They shared a look before she sat back down and held my hand tight. "Don't worry Mai. We won't leave you alone." Her words and smile were enough to calm my racing heart. Once my heart had calmed, my eyelids started to droop. Soon enough, I slipped into a deep sleep. Even if the darkness welcomed me in my sleep, I knew someone was waiting for me in the light.

I. Hate. Hospitals.

It's been 4 days since I woke up and the doctors won't leave me alone! They insist on more testing and I have had enough! I am starting to stress out about all of the testing, but fortunately everyone is trying to keep me in good spirits. Everyone has come by the hospital to see me, except for John and Naru. John was called away on urgent business at the Vatican, but he sent me beautiful flowers and a get well card. I haven't heard from Naru yet, but I suppose that was normal, even if it was disheartening.

Monk and Ayako have visited every day, as well as Yasu and Masako. When I saw Masako I couldn't help but thank her profusely. She saved my soul from being exorcised and there was nothing I could ever do that would express my gratitude to her. I asked her how she knew that my soul was in danger, but she was at a loss for words. She had never experienced anything like it before. She couldn't explain it and I could tell it confused her, not being able to discern her abilities. I didn't want to push her, so I thanked her again and again for believing in herself and trusting her gut. It literally saved my life.

Masako and Yasu also stopped by today as well, but Masako had left maybe an hour ago to go to a meeting about filming. Yasu was still here, but he was on my last nerve.

"Oh, Mai. I wish you could have seen it! When Reika possessed you Naru jumped right into action to save the day! A true knight in shining armor!" I rubbed my temples and grit my teeth. "Yasu, shut up!"

Of course he didn't though.

"Aw, Mai! Don't be mad, I know Naru will come visit eventually! He's probably just trying to figure out how to profess his love to you! He came to Japan for you and to almost lose you again? Oh the horror! He realized he can't live without you!" I glared at him for a moment before I spoke in my most threatening voice, "Yasu, I swear to God that if you don't shut up I am going to pull out my IV and beat you up!" I held up my fist for emphasis, when suddenly the door opened, revealing an unimpressed Naru.

"I can hear you both down the hallway. This is a hospital; act your age." I blushed bright red and of course Yasu pretended like nothing was wrong. "Hey Big Boss! It's been a while! Well Mai, looks like it's Naru's turn to babysit you so I'll just be in my way then!" Yasu grabbed his things and sent me a wink before he closed the door on his way out.

Yasu!

My shock was broken when Naru sat down in the chair Yasu just vacated. He hadn't said another word and he started to pull out his laptop. He opened it up and started typing away like he was at the office or on a case.

Really? Not a 'How are you feeling?' or even just a 'Hello?'

I studied his profile. He looked the same as before; gorgeous without a single hair out of place. He did look a little paler than usual, but that could easily be the lighting in the hospital, it never made anyone look good.

I waited another few moments hoping he would acknowledge me. Nothing! Fine, I'll break the silence. "Hi Naru." "Hello Mai." I waited another moment hoping he would say something else. Nope. "What are you doing here?" He typed a few more sentences, then stopped to look up at me. "I need your account of the case for the final report." "Oh, okay. Where do you want me to start?" "Just start at the beginning." And that's how I spent the rest of my day, trying to remember everything that had happened before my hospital visit. It went pretty well up until the point of the seance.

"When Reika was speaking, she mentioned that she knew who you were and that she had seen your memories. She specifically mentioned memories of you and your mother. What do you make of that?" Honestly, I had forgotten about that. "Oh, um… I don't know. That had completely surprised me. To hear her talk about my memories… it was unnerving." "So she saw some of your memories, just like you saw hers. Do you think other spirits that you've converged with in the past have also seen your memories?" I shrugged. "I don't know. No spirit has ever mentioned it before her, and I don't have any way of knowing. When we converged I saw her memories, but I never even considered the possibility that she could see mine too." "Hmm, this could be incredibly dangerous on future cases… if you converge with an evil spirit this could be used against you. Hmm…" Naru sat in his typical thinking pose mulling over this idea. He was right, this side of my power was unpredictable and could be dangerous for a spirit to know so much about me. Naru resumed his note taking, and I sat there thinking for a moment about the rest of what was said during the seance.

After Reika had mentioned my memories, she said she couldn't pass on, because she felt it was her duty to protect fellow women from men. And she brought Naru into the conversation. She had equated Naru to her abusive husband; a bully and a manipulator. Sure Naru could be abrasive, but he cared and helped others. If she was seeing Naru through my memories with my thoughts and feelings, didn't she also see the good in him?

Does Naru think that I see him as a bully and a manipulator?

"Hey Naru…" "Yes?" "About what Reika said about my memories of you, I…" Before I could finish, Naru cut me off. "I remember what she said, and it is irrelevant." I looked at Naru in disbelief. He seemed cold and distant as those words fell from his lips.

It took a moment to find my voice again, but when I did it was firm. "Well I find it relevant." I shot him a glare. "Mai, don't-"

"No! Oliver Davis! You be quiet and listen to me. It's not irrelevant. Her words were based on my memories of you. You always mess with me and make me angry with all of your remarks degrading my intelligence or treating me like your tea slave. I won't say you haven't manipulated me before, because you have. When I injured Lin and broke the camera you tricked me into working for you. I won't say you've never said hurtful things to people, but I know, without a doubt, that you would never hurt someone intentionally. Yes you make me angry and irritated with your bossiness, but that is just who you are and I think there is nothing wrong with that. I would never think those horrible things about you. I don't know what memories she saw, but she obviously didn't see the good ones. The ones where you gave me a job, a family, and a purpose. You push people away so they don't get close to you and they don't see the good in you. She didn't see what you did for Yasu's school with the hitogatas; or what you did for Masako when she was taken by Urado and you tried to use your psychometry to find her. She never saw any of that and for her to say those things… it's just… she doesn't know you... she can't… she'll never..."

I was so emotional that I could barely form my next sentence. Tears started to gather in my eyes from frustration. Anyone who truly knew Naru would understand that he would never abuse or lay a hand on anyone like Reika's husband. His words were his defense mechanism. He just didn't let others get close.

I could only hope that one day, he'll let me close enough to see what he refuses to show others.

"Mai. Enough." I hung my head and stared at my hands in my lap. I went too far. I should have never brought it up. Silence stretched between us like a canyon; long and deep. I should apologize, but why apologize for something I'm not sorry for?

"Thank you." My head shot up at the words he said so quietly. "I… um… you're welcome." What more was there to say? A quiet settled over us again, but this time it seemed peaceful and mellow compared to just a few moments ago. Naru cleared his throat and continued his interrogation. "So Reika converged souls with you. Do you remember anything during that time?" I shook my head. "How about while you were unconscious for the past few weeks? Were you in your astral plane or did you dream of anything?" My heart rate picked and I paused, before I shook my head no. Naru's eyes narrowed as he scrutinized me. I tried my best to remain relaxed and calm, but my heart sped up. I'm not ready to talk about it yet, please don't make me.

Please don't ask, please don't ask, please don't ask…

"Very well. I will be sending off the case file in the morning to BSPR. If you remember anything, do let me know so I can update the file." Naru went back to typing and I slowly let out the breath I didn't realize I was holding in. I'm not stupid enough to know that he wasn't suspicious and that he didn't believe me. Thankfully he didn't push the subject, and for that I was grateful.

For the next few hours we sat in comfortable silence. Naru typed away on his laptop and I read a book, until my eyelids became heavy with sleep. I fell asleep for a short amount of time, but I was startled awake by the sound of the door. I looked over and Naru was making his way back to his seat when he noticed I woke up. "Go back to sleep, Mai."

I watched Naru sit down with his laptop again and continue to type away. The typing sounded hypnotic and soon enough, I was lulled into a deep sleep; the sound of his keyboard a strong reminder that I wasn't alone.

…...

And that is an official wrap on Case 2! Thoughts? Ideas? Please R&R! I'd love to hear from you!

It's been a while since I've posted before of after the chapters, but I just want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported this fanfic. Your comments and reviews mean a lot and sometimes they even help me decide where to take the story! Thank you to the newer followers and favoriters for reading! I hope I can do this story justice for you all, and that we can create more adventures for our beloved characters! I can't tell you how many times I reread my favorite fanfics and rewatch the anime wanting this story to continue.

If you're stuck in a quarantine like me, there's no better time to read/write GH fanfiction! Please stay safe, healthy, and sane during this crazy time! 3

-Jen