Chapter 19

After her emotional breakdown( or breakthrough) Mai had cried herself to sleep in Ayako's arms, and Monk carried her all the way back to base. John was a bit worse for wear, his medicine was wearing off and the pain was bringing him back to the realization of how serious his injuries were.

"Do you think it would be okay to leave her at the hotel alone? She seems to be in a vulnerable state right now." John said to the female doctor who was now looking him over.

"Whoever won't be needed tomorrow should stay with her at the hotel." Ayako agreed as she readjusted the priest's sling.

"I don't know if that will be a possibility. Mai was the one who sealed up the box with her blood. If the exorcism doesn't go well, we'll need her there to reseal it. "Noll spoke from his perch beside Lin and the monitors.

"UGH! None of this is fair to her! Lin, why did Mai have to seal the box?" Ayako raged.

"The way that this particular spell works the person who the seals the spirit, cannot be the same person who draws up the symbols, and cannot be the same person who seals it. I had planned to use Noll's blood, but Mai was in shock at the time. There was no way she could have created the circles at that time, so I asked Naru to do it. It requires three different people, no more, no less." He explained his reasoning.

"Okay fine, then who will exorcise the poltergeist tomorrow? Don't you dare say Mai." She erupted refusing to see the girl exploited any further. Naru sat in thought for a moment before he gave his reply.

"Takigawa, do you think you can manage an exorcism tomorrow?"

"I can do it, but only if you don't mind the box being destroyed. Remember last time when I told you about when I exorcised the vase." Monk said and Noll looked at Lin who nodded.

"Alright then, it's fine. For now, let's head back to the hotel, and we'll hopefully be able to finish up this investigation tomorrow." Naru announced.

"Wait." Houshou said getting his bosses attention.

"Have you changed your mind?" Noll inquired.

"No. I just have one more question for you, but it's about Mai. You should know since you did do the background check." This caught the young scientist attention.

"When the poltergeist was chastising Mai it said she'd killed them. Plural. Who was the other person?" Monk asked. Noll looked Monk in the eye analyzing him, and met his steady expression.

'Well, he was the one who realized that I was Oliver Davis. I'd almost forgot about his keen ability to put together clues.' Noll mused.

"According to her witness testimony, the night Mai killed her father she'd heard them arguing and her father was beating her mother.

She'd ran in to help her mother only to witness her father stabbed her mother. He was about to stab her again when she knocked away the blade. After that, he'd tried suffocating her, and Mai must have grabbed the knife and stabbed him in the back. During the initial attack, her mother's liver was punctured her wound didn't heal very well. Sometime later she got sick and died because of complications with her liver she was unable to fight the illness. No doubt that Mai blames herself for not protecting her mother, and thinks that's why she died. The poltergeist was most likely capitalizing on this particular belief that Mai has." The young scholar deduced and Monk hummed his understanding and looked over at the sleeping girl.

"Such a hard life." He mumbled getting up and walking over to the dozing psychic who was laying on the couch with her case blanket over her.

'You'd never guess by just looking at her.' Monk thought as he kneeled down next to her, and shook her gently. She groaned trying to swat him away and cutely missing him all together. He shook her again, and this time she opened one eye to look at him.

"Monk, is it time to go?" She asked groggily.

"Yeah, come on kiddo. There's a nice bed waiting for you back at the hotel." Monk got up and she sat up and stretched her arms above her head. Her eyes immediately landed on the wooden box that laid so innocently on the table in base. She got up and walked toward it, but didn't dare touch it.

"How could something so small give so much trouble?" She questioned aloud.

"Funny that's exactly what I think when I see you." Noll said as he packed away some files for the trip back. Mai rolled her eyes and ignored the narcissist's comment. She was too tired to argue, and to be honest she felt she really owed him a thank you.

Hopefully she'd get some time to talk to him before the case was over.

Mai looked over at the bed from the chair in the corner of her hotel room. Her eyes traveled to the untouched sheets, and then to the bright red numbers that read 1:07 AM. Ayako's went back to the hospital with John for the evening again.

She was determined not to go to sleep tonight.

Mai was tempted to tell Gene about how she was able to project her emotions like they'd practiced. She was also so curious about Lin's methods of sealing, but it was far too risky. After all she'd gone through in the past twenty-four hours, she would definitely have some horrific nightmares.

She'd scream and wake up half the hotel.

Mai sighed heavily and decided that she should go for a walk to make sure she didn't doze off.

When she got up, she walked by the mirror. She was wearing her pajamas. Mai quickly changed into some jeans and a white V neck shirt. She threw her hair up in a bun, grabbed her cell phone, then her room key and left.

The halls were long and eerily silent at this time of night, but every now and then she'd walk by a room where little bits of noise like a TV going, laughter, and some more scandalous sounds could be heard. Mai blushed deeply and pushed on until she reached the cafeteria. The food serving area was closed, but she could still make herself a cup of tea. She decided on something simple and picked out Earl Gray while the water started to boil.

'Everything that happened today seems so surreal. They all know what happened to me, and all act like I'm still the same person. They haven't turned away from me. I could never have imagined this outcome. They're all so kind. Do I even deserve such good friends after what I did?' Mai let her hands wander to her key necklace, and she could feel her eyes watering for the millionth time that day. She didn't want to cry anymore, but it seemed her tear ducts had other plans.

She let her tears fall plentifully, too tired to hold back. Mai merely stood there, accompanied only by the sound of boiling water.

'I miss my mother a lot lately. Probably because Ayako is so much like her, even the way she hugs is like mom.' Mai sniffled and sighed deeply. The electric kettle clicked and suddenly a second cup slid over and lightly clinked with her own. Mai looked up to see her boss clad in pajamas, and wearing a ridiculously sexy bed head.

"Naru." She said, he wordlessly shoved her away, and began making two cups of tea. Mai took this time and grabbed a napkin and wiped her eyes then blew her nose. After he was done, he took both cups to the table and Mai sat directly across from him.

"What are doing out of bed?" He asked looking her in the eyes. Mai averted her vision finding her fresh brew much more interesting.

"I, ummm… just wanted some tea. What about you?"

"I went to the bathroom, and that idiot brother of mine said that you hadn't seen him yet tonight. I knocked on your door and you didn't answer. Then I went looking. Why haven't you gone to sleep yet?" Noll narrowed his tired eyes.

"It should be illegal for someone to be as perceptive as you. A girl can't get away with anything." Mai laughed lightly and blew on her tea.

"Answer the question, Mai." He replied sternly.

'I can't even avoid a question around him.' Mai sighed heavily still avoiding his deadly gaze.

"I didn't want to have any nightmares, so I decided that I wouldn't go to sleep." Oliver nodded his understanding.

"Tomorrow is going to be a long day. I can't have you falling asleep on the job. You need your sleep in order to be a functional member of this team."

"Yeah, but if I go to sleep and have a nightmare I'll wake everyone else up. Then the entire team would be shot. Let me just do this okay?" Mai retorted hoping he'd give her a break.

"Fine, but I fully expect you to keep up tomorrow. "

"Yes, sir."

'Now or never time.' Mai could feel her face heating up, but now was the perfect time. When else would she have his complete attention again?

"I'm glad you came to find me because I wanted to talk to you about something." This time Mai met his curious eyes, and nearly lost her nerve.

"And that would be…"

"Well, I just really wanted to thank you. For everything you've done for me. You gave me a job, a new apartment, and the best friends I've ever had. You've saved my life more times than I can count, and you've taught me so much about the paranormal and about life. You even helped me with my school work, and inspire me to want more for myself. I know we fight a lot, and I'm not that good at showing it, and I'm clumsy, and rude, and…"

"… and late." He interrupted.

"Yeah, and late." Mai laughed lightly and continued. "But Naru, you're one of the kindest people I've ever met, and my life would be so different if you weren't in it. So just know that I'm very grateful to have you around." Mai finished feeling herself blush, but offered him a small smile anyway. Naru could feel his heart beating against his chest, and he couldn't stop the small smile that made its way to his face.

'I've been kicked out, cursed, and slandered, but I don't think anyone has ever called me the kindest person they've ever meet. This girl, it's hard not to like her, I'm pretty sure it's impossible. Why would anyone hurt a person like her? 'He wondered and sipped his tea.

"Well, that's all I wanted to say I'll be g-" Mai rose from her seat but Naru reached out, and his hand stopped her.

'Damn it. Why did I do that?' The boy scolded himself. She was looking at him expectantly, and she waited patiently to see what he was going to say. He pulled his hand back and forced himself to speak sensibly.

"Mai."

"Yes."

"Tea." Mai looked at his cup and there was still warm tea in it.

"But Naru you still have warm tea in your-" Noll picked up his cup, and chugged it all back. Afterwards he pushed it forward toward, and Mai could only sigh and heed his request.

'Why didn't I want her to leave? Perhaps it's because I didn't want her to be alone. She was clearly crying before I'd arrived here.' He watched her intently as she hummed and prepared another round of tea. Lucky for Mai the water was still hot she merely had to pour and steep, and two more cups were ready in less than minute. She brought both fresh cups of tea, and sat down to the sight of her bosses' unadulterated stare.

"Why were you crying?" This question caught Mai by surprise, she wasn't sure at first if he'd say anything, and really hoped he wouldn't.

"I, it's just everything lately is a bit overwhelming. It just brought up some emotions that I've suppressed for long time." She admitted.

'He's asking me all these personal questions. This is so unlike him, why does he care?' Mai suddenly wondered as she reminded herself of all the kind things he'd done for her lately.

"I see." Was his only reply. His throat was still a bit sore from the scalding tea he'd just threw back like an ass, but it seemed like a good idea at the time.

"Hey Naru."

"Hmm."

"You know almost everything about me. My family, where I go to school, things I like to do, and I wouldn't be surprised if you knew the color underwear I chose today." Naru rose an eyebrow at this, but let her continue. "I want to know some things about you too." Mai disclosed knowing full well he might shoot down this request. He was silent at first, likely weighting the pros and cons of this discussion, but then figured there was no harm in offering limited knowledge about himself.

"If you resign yourself to a couple hours of sleep then I will permit you three random questions that I will answer truthfully." He proposed.

'Might as well kill two birds with one stone.' He thought as he could see her mulling it over in her head.

"No deal. Guess that I'll just have to ask Madoka or Lin in exchange for embarrassing pictures of you in our apartment. "Mai sighed and Noll internally groaned at the thought his two overseers being noisier than they already were.

"How does this not benefit you? "

"Because I don't need everyone else worrying over me anymore for this case. If I go screaming my head off because of a night terror then I'm not interested in that kind of deal." Noll heard what she was saying, and the solution became more obvious.

"Will you accept if I speak with Gene and ensure you spend the remainder of the night with him on his spiritual plane?" He spoke again changing the angle of his approach. Mai sipped her tea wearing a pensive expression.

"Okay. Deal." Mai stuck out her hand and he looked down at it and then back at her several times.

"Yes, I'm serious. Shake on it like a man Naru." Mai goaded and he reluctantly shook her hand, gently of course, since his hands were so much larger than her own.

'So small...' He noted.

"Okay, question number one… umm….Have…Do you…" Mai fumbled to find a question to ask him.

"This is clearly going to take a while…"

"Shut up, I was just thinking. Okay, what's your favorite season?" Mai finally asked.

"Autumn." He said.

"Hey, you can't just answer the question. You have to elaborate otherwise this exercise is pointless." Mai complained.

'Should I just humor her or just ignore her request?' He weighed the pros and cons mentally once more, and decided that if he were to ignore her she'd probably leave.

"The temperatures and weather are ideal and neutral, and the weather isn't oppressive to the body. The scenery is nice without the bother that the others propose." He replied and Mai laughed nervously.

'What an analytical response.' Mai recovered quickly enough with another question.

"What's your favorite genre of movie?" Mai fired.

"Documentaries, I have no interest in fictional tales."

"Okay then, what place makes you the happiest?" This time he hesitated. He sipped on his tea, and let the gears turn in his head. It was rare for him to consider what his own feelings were in a particular situation.

"On a case, once everything is done, and we've helped the people we came to assist." He said softly and Mai giggled as she gathered the cups up conceding defeat.

"You really are meant for this work. Everything about you is hard wired for this stuff." Mai left the dirty cups in a wash bin, and headed for the door where her boss was waiting.

The walk back to her room was silent, but comfortable. After living with the narcissist for a while she'd become used to the silence he preferred and what used to make her unsettled. Once they reached her room Mai slid her room card, and pushed her door open.

"Well I guess-" Mai began but Oliver clearly had other plans as he forced her further into the room, his hand on the small of her back, and let the door close behind himself.

"Wha- What's the big idea?" Mai said thankful for the darkness that shielded her blush.

"Relax Mai. I'm just ensuring that you uphold your side of the bargain, now go to sleep." Noll pointed to her bed and Mai groaned exasperatingly. She grabbed her PJ's and went into her attached bathroom unit. She reentered in her oversized t-shirt and boxer shorts. Embarrassed that he was seeing her this way for the second time this week she refused to look at him, and just threw herself under the covers.

Once she settled into a comfortable position the room was completely quiet. It was difficult to really relax knowing that the man she'd been in love with was somewhere in the same room as her watching her sleep.

'Should I say something to him, or just ignore him? I just know he's just staring at me from where ever he is. I just have to relax, and sleep will come just like it always does.' Mai relaxed and before sleep over took her she could hear the door open and close softly.

Once Noll exited the girl's room, he was surprised by his bodyguard leaning on the outside of the door. He might have actually jumped if he wasn't wired with nerves of steel.

"Explain yourself." He commanded reminding Noll of when he and his brother were younger and had been up to no good. Many times caught by Lin.

"Gene told me Mai hadn't gone to sleep yet, so I found her and made sure she went to sleep." He summarized and walked away from the door with his shadow in tow.

"Why was she up?" Lin probed.

"She didn't want to have any nightmares, and risk waking the rest of the team. She decided to stay awake until morning." He filled in his over seer.

"I trust you handled it well then. That girl is too reckless." Lin said and slipped back into his own room. Noll retreated to his room to inform his brother to take care of Mai.

'Gene and Mai spend so much time together, how she could not fall in love with him.' Noll exhaled and allowed the moonlight to guide his way and he swallowed his jealousy.

Not a bad turnaround for the next chapter. Thank you for all the kind review, and I truly take them to heart. I hope this chapter was fluffy enough, and happy mother's day! See you guys next chapter.