Chapter 9

Me: This chapter will be mostly LinXAbby fluffiness and SPR team teasyness so enjoy!

That person next to me: So… lots of romance here?

Me: Pretty much. They were separated for a while, they missed each other.

That person next to me: … right. Okay well onto the chapter.

It was time for the big exorcism. Big, as in highly dangerous and someone could get hurt. Abby had been taken to the hospital by Lin and given stitches for her stomach and been ordered to rest, which she was happy to comply. Naru talked to all her teachers and had gotten her excused from her classes while she healed and until the case was over, leaving her stranded with SPR for quite a while, not that she was complaining.

Lin had given her his sleeping bag once everyone took theirs back, leaving him with nothing, but Abby told him that she wanted his arms around her while she slept, claiming she felt safe in his arms, which she did. With a little reluctance, he would lay with her every night, her back to his chest and his arm gently draped over her waist. The mornings would always find them curled up against one another, any hint of Lin's hesitation gone as he was snuggled close to the woman he loved.

For the most part, Abby slept soundly through the night, only having to be woken up a couple times because of her whimpering, the signs of a nightmare. Lin would gently shake her shoulder, and if that didn't work, he would press his lips to her cheek and tell her not to be frightened, since he was there to protect her. Usually that would wake her up, and she would smile at him as she curled up against him more firmly. Once she was settled, he would kiss her softly before they both went back to sleep.

Lin, of course, was the one issuing all the orders for her recovery, and she was perfectly fine with it. He would tell her when to lie down and rest and he would tell her when to walk around and stretch. He would let her sit next to him when she wasn't resting, holding onto her hand tightly, and she would rest her head on his arm while he worked. The team would tease them about being a couple, making the two look at each other with wide eyes, while Abby blushed furiously. Then, he would tell them that they should get back to work while the two of them turned back to the computer, resuming their cuddled up position together.

Today, Abby's friends were in the base, asking her if she was okay a million times. Lin could tell Abby was getting tired of it, from the way her smile tensed whenever she assured her friends that she was fine. Her boyfriend, now ex, was nowhere to be seen, leaving her with the girls, since the other male was missing along with him. She had talked to him the first chance she could, having not been allowed to go anywhere, except for the bathroom, and no one had been allowed to see her while she was recovering from being in the attic for so long.

Once her friends had left, Lin and Abby were alone. The rest of the team was looking over the rest of the school and cleansing it if they had to, leaving Lin in charge of the base, and of Abby.

"So, Lin…" Abby started, rolling over to face him. She was lying down, having been ordered to rest for an hour.

"You should be sleeping." He told her, getting up and kneeling next to her, "What is it?"

She smiled, "Can you lay with me?" She asked, staring up at him.

He smiled gently, cupping her cheek, "Okay. Just for a bit, though." He laid with her, curling his arms around her, "You're beautiful, you know."

Abby giggled, "Only because you tell me." She snuggled up against him, resting her cheek against his bicep, "You're amazing, you know."

He pressed him lips to her forehead, "Only because you tell me." He whispered, "I love you, Abby, with all my heart and I will do everything I can to protect you from now on."

She smiled sleepily, "I love you too, Lin. I knew you would come save me. You're my knight in shining armor." She whispered back, "I've never believed in the whole knight-in-armor thing, but you gave me a reason to and for that, I love you so much."

He smiled and leaned down, kissing her with all his love. She kissed him back just as passionately, tangling her fingers in his hair as he leaned over her. When he pulled back, he smiled at her, and she smiled back, snuggling against him as close as she could as she fell asleep.

While watching her sleep, Lin couldn't believe he fell in love with her. She was perfect, at least to him, and he cared deeply for her since the moment he saw her. They fit well together; at least he'd like to think so. They were in sync a lot of times, and he found himself thinking about her more often than he should. And while he was older than her, he couldn't help but want to steal her away, to keep her for himself.

Sighing, he lay there next to her for a few more minutes. Once he was sure she was deeply asleep, he gently got up and went back to his laptop.

Demon pov

She was mine! He couldn't have her, no one could. I was going to have her and keep her with me, forever. How dare she profess her love to him! I was powerful and could grant her immortality. I would give her the world, after the demons and corrupted spirits took it over. She would be my queen, my love. She would love me.

As I watched her, weary of the Chinese man's shiki, she moved around in her sleep. I wanted to go and whisk her away right now, but I couldn't risk taking her away while having nowhere to hide her. If I took her, the first place they would look would be the attic. Unless…

Smirking, I left the room, going somewhere I know they wouldn't look for her. Deeming it okay, I thought of a plan. She would love me and only me. And if not…

Well, she wouldn't have a choice in the matter if she refused.

Normal pov

Three hours later, the team was piling into the base. School had just ended, leaving them alone in the new gym building. Abby was in her usual spot, next to Lin, and the team (well the ones who would tease her) were starting up with their usual comments about them being together. Finally, it became to annoying to Abby, who was the passive one in the relationship.

She spun around, "Can you guys just shut up?" She asked, "We're together, get over it. I love him and he loves me so just leave us alone and leave us be." She huffed and turned her attention back to Lin's computer screen. He smiled at her and pressed his lips to the top of her head.

"That was impressive." He whispered, "I think they got the message." She giggled, despite her anger and irritation.

"Oh, well." Was all she said.

Naru suddenly cleared his throat, making everyone in the room look at him, "We need a plan of action. We have no idea where that demon is and we need to get rid of it. I was thinking of using bait." He looked at Abby as he spoke, his intentions clear.

Lin growled, "No." He said, "That's not happening."

Abby but her hand on his shoulder, "Lin, i-"

"No! I lost you once and I'm not going to lose you again. Do you have any idea what I felt? I couldn't focus or sleep or anything. I was worried about you. I didn't know if you were scared, being tortured, or even dead. I'm not letting you do this." He snapped.

Abby glared at him, "It's not your choice. I'm not saying I want to do this, but you don't get to decide what I do." She yelled at him.

"Well, considering since I'm the one in charge of your recovery and well-being, I think I have a say in what you do and how you go about things right now." He informed her, "You're not doing this."

She sighed angrily, "Fine." She let go of his hand, crossing them over her chest.

Everyone just watched them, wide eyed. They were practically the perfect couple, or were the perfect couple. Ayako sighed, "I think it should be up to Abby. If something went wrong, we all know Lin will be there by her side." They all nodded in agreement.

Lin sent a menacing look to each and every one of them. Then, he threw his hands up in the air, "Alright," He looked at Abby, "Do what you want. But if you get hurt, don't think I'm going to be there for you because I'm done." He stood and walked out of the room, slamming the door behind them.

Abby stared at the door, hardly believing what just happened. That was so unlike him. Even though he disapproved of her doing this, he wouldn't leave her like that. He would always be there. Tears formed in her eyes and spilled down her cheeks, but she didn't make a sound, just stared at the door.

The demon smirked from its spot, hovering over the unconscious onmyoji. He had possessed the man while he was arguing with the girl, and said things that would hurt the girl. Now, she wouldn't fight him when he came for her. He knew she was bait, but by the time the rest of the hunters realized he was there, he would be gone, with his girl in tow. She would come willingly, after this, he just knew it.

"Alright, now that we have a plan, we have to get everything set up. Abby?" She looked at him, "We need to get everything ready. Go home. I have Takigawa come get you when it's time." She nodded, getting up, "Ayako's going to take you home."

The two female left, and everyone rushed around to get things ready to exorcise the demon. They set up a circle, where Abby would sit and draw it to her. Once it got into circle, it would be trapped, and Abby would get out of the way. Then, they drew symbols around the circle, one's that Takigawa, Ayako, and John would chant to, therefore effectively expelling the demon for good.

While they were setting up, Mai looked around, noticing Lin wasn't back yet. Where was he? Sure he was mad at Abby, but they needed him here. His shiki could wound the demon and make it easier to exorcise it. Sighed, Mai shook her head and got back to clearing the base.

After half an hour, they were ready. Takigawa left to get Abby and was back with her ten minutes later. She nodded, ready to go. Everyone cleared the area, pressing themselves against the wall in the shadows.

Taking a breath, Abby sat in the middle of the circle, knees tucked under her. She looked to every one of the team's members, heart dropping when she didn't see Lin. He really wasn't going to protect her this time. He really was done with her….

Me: Cliffhanger!

That person next to me: Oh no! What's going to happen? Will she be alright?

Me: You'll have to read over my shoulder as I write the FINAL CHATPER!

That person next to me: Oh my, that's a depressing thought. Oh well, review!