A/C - This chapter has been on my mind for some time... I just had to try to squeeze it in because I haven't been able to stop thinking about it! So, think of this and next chapter as little bonus chapters. Still relavent to the story but a break from our scheduled undead drama. I'm also VERY thankful for all of your support and amazing words of encouragement that help me improve!

Chapter 20 - Take Every Moment

^.^

It has been two weeks since I found out about being the anchor, and three weeks since we returned from the prison case. Gene still had not contacted me since he started his impossible mission of tracking down Sara.

I still hadn't been to the Iron Gates since Adina.

I also haven't told Naru yet and maybe it was selfish because I didn't want him to leave. I just didn't have anything to tell him until Gene got more answers.

In the meantime things haven't really changed. I've meet up with Yasu and Bou-san for lunches, have seen Ayako about possible prescriptions (because even though I was off the anti-depressants she was concerned about the lasting effects of not weaning off properly). Masako had finally flown back to Tokyo last night so I had yet to see her but I desperately wanted to.

Things were starting to look up and they were becoming really good.

Things with Naru were good too - better than good, in fact.

It was like living in a dream.

The biggest change was Naru insisted on staying with me through the night.

As I was putting toys away at work I thought of about our brief conversation the night after he first stayed with me.

'It'll help with the nightmares,' Naru had said, leaning casually on the door frame to my bedroom. I was sitting on the bed. 'You're not the only one who has their beauty sleep disturbed when you're screaming and throwing up in the middle of the night -"'

'Shut it,' I growled. 'If you're doing this out of pity, get out. I can sleep on my own, thank you very much.'

'Not from what I've witnessed,' said Naru. He unfolded himself, walking over until he stood at the end of the bed.

His blue eyes were intense, like a blue flame.

'I'm not doing it out of pity, either.'

Whoa. Had Naru known he could look at someone like that?

My heart had been pounding so hard I thought he could hear it echoing throughout the room that night. I was stunned and all I could do was nod my head.

Work went by rather quickly as I was lost in my thoughts. Most nights I found the late shift was long but I had a lot on my mind tonight. At the end of my shift I made my way out of the Church and passed John Brown in the hall. It was a rare sight to see the smiling blonde-haired priest as he was rarely around doing house visits and community work. I had seen him the least out of all the SPR members.

"Hey John," I greeted him. "How are you?"

"Hello, Mai." He smiled at me. "I'm doin' well. Oh, by the way I saw Naru waiting outside for you."

"Naru? You mean Lin, right?" Usually they picked me up together.

John shook his head, "No I didn't see anyone, he asked me to let you know that he was waiting for you."

"Oh," I said. "Well, thank you John. Have a good night."

"You as well."

I walked out of the Church and indeed the Priest was right - Naru was standing at the gates of the Church entrance. He was alone too.

"This is unexpected," I said as I approached him. Expecting the unexpected with Naru was never a good thing. Instantly, I felt anxious.

"I thought we could walk tonight." Naru said. "Lin had personal matters to take care of."

"Oh." This was new. "Well...thank you. You didn't have to."

Naru didn't acknowledge that with any kind of response and he turned towards the street to start walking. I kept pace beside him.

I knew I shouldn't ask but did anyways. "What is Lin doing tonight?"

"My parents were curious as to what has kept me away from London for so long," Naru said. "They took it upon themselves to fly here. Lin is picking them up at the airport now."

Naru's parents, Luella and Martin Davis. "Shouldn't you have gone with him to see them?"

"They made a reservation for dinner tomorrow night," Naru explained. "I'll see them then."

"Oh." I didn't quite know what to say. "That must be exciting for you. I guess I can finally make myself something with fish in it tomorrow, since you don't like seafood."

That was one of Naru's little secrets that I would probably remember for the rest of my life.

There was a brief silence before Naru said, "My parents are aware of our current living situation and asked if you would join us."

I stopped dead in my tracks and Naru turned to look at me.

"T-they did?"

He nodded.

"I don't want to impose -"

"They asked for you," Naru corrected. "That makes it an invitation."

"Oh," I said, nervously. "W-well then I guess I can't argue with that."

We started moving forward again as Naru spoke.

"My parents are staying at the Aman Hotel in Tokyo, and the reservations are at restaurant there -"

I stopped walking, again. "Aman Tokyo? Oh my God, Naru that's one of the most expensive hotels in all of Tokyo!"

Naru stopped once again, a deep frown settling on his features. "Yes, they tend to overdo things." Then, bluntly. "Are you going to stop after everything thing I say? If you're concerned then I can tell them you're not interested -"

"Sheesh, I'm sorry," I said and jogged up to Naru when he turned around to start walking forward again. "I would love to go. I've just...never mind." I wanted to tell him that I had never met any of my friends' (or boyfriends) parents before. Lucien had known about the fate of my parents but I never knew anything about his. Maybe that was the first sign we were not going to last.

"I'll let them know your decision then," Naru said.

I realized if it was a fancy dinner, I didn't have anything to wear. Quickly, I took out my phone and texted Masako.

..::I know you must be tired, but I would love to get together with you tonight. Need to go shopping ASAP. Naru's parents are in town and want to do dinner::..

Her reply was instant and I smiled at the response.

..::Meet me at the Shopping District in an hour::..

I guess Naru would be eating dinner by himself tonight.

^.^

"Mr. and Mrs. Davis are very kind," Masako assured me as walked into a small dress boutique in the Shopping District. "Kind of intense, very easy to talk to though."

"Do you think this would be too much?" I looked at a beautiful black jumpsuit, reaching for it instantly. I held it up to my waist.

"Try it on," Masako urged. "You'll never know until you've tried."

"Okay," I walked to a change room.

Masako talked to me through the thin fabric door. "Yasu told me...about he being...well, you know."

I stopped mid-motion of taking off my shirt and looked at the fabric, as if I could see Masako sitting on the other side. "I'm sorry. I should have told you but I didn't feel like it was my place."

"It's alright," she said after a moment. "I have to admit I was hurt when I found out. It seems that every man I like doesn't share the same interest in me. I'm also glad that he feels like he could trust me with that."

"I know what you mean," I smiled faintly. "And, you'll find someone Masako."

"Oh, I know." I could imagine her pushing back her sleek black hair. "I think I'm content with just focusing on me right now."

I finally pulled the one-piece on, zipping up the back. The jumpsuit was beautiful and absolutely fit like a dream. It was gorgeous, the fabric was buttery soft against my skin. The neckline swept just below my collar bone and the bodice hugged my waist before bellowing into elegant panels down my legs. This jumpsuit had gossamer sleeves that were flowey and attached to elegant wrist cuffs.

Best of all it had pockets!

I stepped out of the dressing room and Masako looked up at me.

"Mai, you look stunning."

"Do you think it's too much?" I turned around to look at it again in the mirror. This gown was definitely too much for a formal dinner. Maybe if it were a banquet.

Masako nodded, "Absolutely not, it is gorgeous."

"It is," I agreed.

"And it's Naru's favorite color," Masako winked.

^.^

I was beyond nervous as I got ready for dinner the next night, slipping into my new jumpsuit I bought yesterday.

Correction, it was a beautiful black jumpsuit.

I paired the black suit with a simple pair of gold-dangling earrings and a pair of black kitten-heeled shoes. I decided to keep my hair down for the evening and applied a small amount of eye shadow to deepen the crease in my eyes, then finished the look off with eyeliner, mascara and a smudge of blush.

I stashed my lip-gloss, deodorant and wallet into a small black purse then checked my reflection one last time.

I hardly recognized the person who looked back at me in the mirror. I watched my reflection take a deep breath before I turned around to leave the room.

Naru was waiting for me in the living room and I was glad I went with black because, as per usual, he opted for a black suit with a matching black tie.

Typical Naru.

"Lin will be here to pick us up in ten minutes." Naru informed me as he turned, adjusting his tie.

I stood awkwardly in the doorway, "okay."

Naru dropped his arms as his gaze turned into something different.

I blushed from the look, suddenly feeling like I overdid it. "Is it too much?"

"No, it's -" there was a furrow in his brow as he searched for the word. "You look different."

I couldn't look into those blue eyes much longer and when my gaze found his throat I felt myself smile at the crooked tie.

"Naru, who taught you how to tie a tie?"

Slowly, I stepped towards him. I felt him tense as I reached out my hands to his collar. My knuckles brushed the soft skin on his throat as my hands worked on the knot.

"It's been a long time since I wore such things," Naru answered stiffly. I felt his eyes on me as I worked swiftly. "Who taught you?"

"Before dad died my mom used to pick me up and let me practice tying his ties. It was so long ago now and feels like I might have dreamed the whole thing up."

When I was finished, I stepped back. Naru touched his throat, feeling the knot before straightening his jacket. "Thank you." He said.

"You're welcome."

I turned back towards the door just as Naru's phone started ringing. "Lin's here."

When we reached the car, Lin was dressed up formally too. But Lin was always in formal wear, I reminded myself.

Who I wasn't expecting to be in the car was Madoka.

The magenta-haired woman took one look and me, squealed and then squeezed me the moment I slid into the back seat.

"Mai! It's so good to see you again!" She pulled away, grinning from ear to ear. I was too stunned to do anything but grin back at her. "I hope you've been well all this time."

"I've been great," I said and it sounded as breathless as I felt. "I hope you've been alright too. I had no idea you were you as well! What a wonderful surprise."

"Well," Madoka leaned back in her seat crossing her legs. She was wearing a lovely light pink cocktail dress with elegant lace trims. "I'm disappointed that a certain someone never revealed the fact that we are engaged."

To further prove her point, she showed me the beautiful rock on her finger. I gasped, looking at the huge ring. "Congratulations, Madoka!"

From the driver seat, Lin said. "Madoka, you know I don't like making a spectacle about everything."

Madoka dutifully ignored him, "Honestly, these men of ours, what are we going to do with them?" She winked at me. I was too shy to say that there was nothing going on between Naru and I.

At least the drive to dinner was pleasant. Madoka told me all about her and the Davis's adventure here. She also filled me in on some of Naru's latest research. It was a lot of technical theories that I didn't quite understand, but I was still intrigued. Under any other circumstances, Naru would never tell me this on his own. It was like a little window into his life back home.

"Noll has been using statistical inferences to interpret biological systems being inflicted by a anomalous effect." Madoka said at one point. "It's quite fascinating, really. Noll, have you told Mai about the controls you have used in the experiments?"

Naru sighed, "Mai really doesn't care about parapsychology."

"Nonsense," She rebutted. "Mai, hunny tell me, can you still project?"

"Uh, well, sometimes."

"What about the other stuff? Precognitive visions, do you still have those?"

"Madoka," Naru warned. "Please don't interrogate her."

"It's fine," I smiled. "I still have the visions. Not all the time, just when I concentrate really hard."

"Fascinating," Madoka stared at me. "Absolutely fascinating. Noll has never told his parents about his adventures in Japan. Mai, you must indulge us. We would love to hear all about your abilities."

This time it was Lin who warned her. Sheepishly, she grinned at me, winking again. I got the feeling this conversation was far from over yet.

When we arrived at the hotel, Lin gave the keys to the valet and the four of us walked up the grand staircase of the hotel. I was in absolute awe of the beautiful lights and shimmering crystals of the chandeliers.

Madoka strung her arm through Lin's and walked beside him. That, itself, was a sight to behold. I had never seen Lin be physical with anyone. I guess anything could happen to anyone.

Naru and I stayed a few paces behind them, walking side by side.

Quietly, he said, "I understand if you don't want to meet them." There was a faint tone of humor in his voice when he continued. "If we turn around now, I recall the valet having another car before ours."

I whispered back, "If I didn't know any better, I would say you were trying to avoid your parents Doctor Oliver Davis."

"You do know better." He gave me a sidelong glance. "And don't call me that. It doesn't sound right coming from you."

"It'll be fine," I said, smiling through the nerves that made my heart pound. I also ignored the comment. "It'll be a good dinner."

Before we reached the elevator up to the restaurant, Naru stopped.

From the elevator, Madoka held the door open and said, "Hurry up, Noll!"

"Go on without us," Naru said. I saw Lin nod at him, then whisper something to Madoka who simply let the door go and smiled at us.

I turned back to Naru.

"Is everything okay, Naru?"

He was standing perfectly still and if you didn't know Naru you would think the calm demeanor was control.

It was not control though. Not as I watched him move to the far side of the lobby where there was a large-paned window overlooking the garden outside. I slowly walked over to him.

After all this time, I had come to know Naru. I knew that he held all his tension in his shoulders. I had learned the crease in his brows when he was frustrated. I understood the still way he held himself when he was nervous or extremely stressed.

I stepped towards him, not pressuring Naru to talk if he didn't want to. I just stood next to him, to be with him as this passed.

After a few moments, Naru pocketed his hands and a small release of that tension left his shoulders.

I waited patiently, knowing exactly what it was like to just want someone to be there when I returned from being so deep in my mind and thoughts - so deep in that darkness.

When Naru spoke, his voice was quiet. "You look beautiful."

My head snapped up to him and those intelligent, cool eyes were staring at me as they always do.

They were so intense - a flaming blue and I knew if I got too caught up in them I might very well burn. I could look nowhere else because it was that rare moment where Naru's control was down and he let his emotions show through his eyes the way Gene could.

"I didn't tell you before," he said, almost shyly.

My face heated as I thought about him standing in the living room, struggling to find a word for what he was seeing when I stepped out of the bedroom.

'You look different.'

I dropped my gaze to the ground, out the window...anywhere but those beautiful blue eyes that were suddenly too intense - too dangerous - to look at. "Thank you."

Naru slowly closed the distance between us.

"Are you ready?" He said, sounding a little more composed. He presented his arm, hand still in his pocket - I realized he was waiting for me to take it.

Slowly, I slid my arm through his as I had saw Madoka do with Lin.

"Together," I said echoing the words that I had thought the moment when we could have died in that cabin during the prison case.

I felt his arm flex, then relax under my touch.

"We'll do this together."

^.^