Naru's P.O.V

I sat and read the files that Mai reorganized as everyone was chatting. Ayako had come in with the baby a little while ago and i decided to let Mai fawn over them since we had missed the due date.

"He's so cute~" she said, poking his cheeks. Ayako smiled and rolled the stroller to keep him calm.

"He's also very calm, considering who his father is." She said.

"I take offense to that." Takigawa commented and leaned back. She laughed and pat his leg.

"So, why were we all called here?" She asked, folding the onesies Mai had given her and putting them in the diaper bag. Placing the stuffed animal in the stroller with him.

"Oh, right! We have two joinees to our team from the English Office. Marie, and Ryan, they're siblings." Mai started. Ryan smiled and bowed his head politely, Marie just waved.

"I see…" Yasuhara said, "Does that mean some things are changing?"

"A little." I cut in, closing the file. "Ryan is an expert in our equipment, so he'll help Mai with set up. Yasuhara, you're still the research assistant to Lin, since he's agreed to that. Marie will help you where she can. Her expertise is with audio, so she'll do a lot of the listening and watching monitors on cases. Mai will keep her usual duties, so nothing changes there. As well as, Takigawa, Matsuzaki, Father Brown and Ms. Hara will be called in as needed, like before." I explained. They nodded in union and hummed, "Now. I want to address a few things. Takigawa, how long has Mai been my assistant?" I asked.

"A year before you left for England." He answered.

"Matsuzaki, how many cases?" I asked.

"With you? 10. Afterwards, 2 before she quit." She answered.

"So, as you see, Marie. There is no "favoritism". Whether she's my girlfriend, or my assistant, she is your superior while you're on this team. I suggest you accept that." I said, going to sip my tea. Maire went to say something when Matsuzaki spoke up.

"Girlfriend?!" She yelled. I closed my eyes as the baby started crying, "Oh…i'm sorry…" She rolled the stroller, calming him down again.

"I'm sorry. Girlfriend?" Yasuhara repeated her question.

"Did i stutter?" I asked.

"I was just as shocked…" Takigawa cut in, "But it's not a joke apparently…"

"It's not." John piped in, "I tried to tell you he cared in his own way but you still went and chewed him out."

"...Yea…sorry about that Naru…" Matsuzaki apologized for both of them. I set my empty cup down.

"I personally don't care what you all think of me. I never have." I said matter of factly.

"Yea, but Mai does…" Yasuhara said quietly and looked at her.

"If it doesn't bother Naru, why should it bother me?" she said with a smile, "I just ask you don't yell at him again…that's my job." She smiled smugly. I raised a brow and shot her a look. That smug look fell as she blushed and glanced away from me. "I'll get you some more tea." She said quickly and stood, taking my cup and going into the kitchen.

"Back tracking a little bit. Was it really necessary to call me out like that Oliver." Marie said. I could tell she was fuming with anger and embarrassment

"Would you have accepted it if i told you in private? No. So yes, it was necessary." I said, looking at her.

"Marie…calm down." Ryan said. "Usually i defend you but you have gone a little far recently."

"For the meantime, we'll close the office for today so we can get settled in our apartments." I said. Ryan nodded and took Marie out before she could cause a scene.

"Well then…" Yasuhara said, "I sense some unrequited love~"

"More like she's a jealous and possessive ex that wants what she can't have." Mai said as she walked back in with the tea.

"Oh really?" Matsuzaki questioned.

"She's been trying to get between us, even in England." Mai explained, "Neither of us are happy she's here but…not much we can do."

"You could get rid of her." Yasu piped in.

"That's the plan. But i can't decide if i want to "kill her with kindness" or flat out make her life hell." Yasuhara put his finger to his chin in thought.

"You're too nice to outright make her hate being here. I say go the kindness route and let us handle the rest" He grinned, getting a giggle from Mai.

"As tempting as that is, you'll just end up hitting on her brother." She said. He just laughed and shrugged.

"I mean hey, if it works, it works" he said in response. "I made Monk uncomfortable plenty of times"

"Yea, you can get pretty creepy" Takigawa said, shuddering in thought.

"If you 4 are done, you can go." I stood and walked to my office, stretching. Mai walked them down and the office was quiet again. Sighing, I sat at my desk and rubbed my face.

Mai's P.O.V

It was good to see them all again…i was at ease with all of them around. Sure, i trusted Naru and i love him, but my family is everything to me…so I'm so happy to be home.

Walking back into the main office, i went into Naru's office and saw him sitting with his eyes closed.

"Naru..?" I asked softly and walked over. His breathing was soft as if hed fallen asleep. I touched his cheek lightly as his eyes fluttered open.

"Have fun?" He asked. I pecked his lips and sat in his lap, hugging him.

"I missed it here…" i said quietly, his arms wrapping around my waist.

"Well, we wont be going anywhere… except home. You need to rest." He said. I nodded gently, i was feeling a bit tired since we came straight here from the airport... Standing, i went and grabbed my bag and left with him.

The Apartment was simple…a two bedroom with 2 bathrooms. Since Miss. Luella said they were going to help pay, id rather just have an apartment before we get a house, and Naru left the decision to me.

Our stuff was already here and partially unpacked. I tilted my head in confusion, we hadn't been home yet so who-

"Hello!~" Madoka said as she peeked from the kitchen. I jumped and hid behind Naru. "Oop-"

"Damnit Madoka!" I yelled, peeking over his shoulder, "don't do that! You should've told us you were here." I said, tears stinging my eyes in reflex. Naru covered his mouth and snickered, getting a slap on the back from me.

"Sorry, sorry~ i couldn't help it…Luella gave me a key so i could help unpack" she said with her usual smile, giggling.

"As amusing as that was…you know Mai is still jumpy." Naru said. I glared at him slightly and crossed my arms. He was right though…

"Yes yes i really am sorry" she said and hugged me. I huffed and pat her shoulder gently. "Oh…you're warm, Mai" She said, touching my head. I blinked and yawned.

"Oh…guess i pushed myself a little hard today…" I said softly.

"I'll finish helping unpack if you want to go rest." She said with a soft smile.

"I think it's best if you go. She needs it to be quiet." Naru said finally and looked at Madoka. Her eye twitched and she went to hit him with a book, which he dodged. I shook my head and walked off to what would be my room.

"Fine, but only because she's not feeling well." She said before leaving. I sighed and rubbed my face.

"So…tired…" I said, laying down.

"Mai. You should change first." Naru said as he leaned against the door. I shook my head.

"Too tired to move…" I said quietly. He walked over, pulling my boots off.

"At least your shoes." He said, pulling the covers over me gently. I blushed and covered my face.

"D-Don't just do that randomly." I said, trembling. He took my hand and kissed it before sitting next to me.

"Just rest…ok?" He said softly. I nodded, my eyes already closing as i dozed off after such a busy…day…