08: What bumps in the night...
The machine beeped steadily, keeping track of his heart rate and oxygen while he slumbered in eerie repose. An IV filled with whatever gave him nourishment until he was able to wake and eat solid foods. At least he was breathing on his own, she thought, her eyes filling with tears. They trekked down her cheeks slowly, blurring her vision; that was good: she didn't have to see the needle taped to his arm or the gadgets attached to him. Too soon her tears began to sting and she lifted a hand and wiped them away.
She knew he'd wake relatively soon; the doctors told her that much when she'd told them she was his girlfriend. She reached out intending to take his hand—the one without the IV and what not, but stopped a hair's breadth away from actually doing it and pulled her hand back. She sighed, a sad and broken sound.
"You should try talking to him," a sympathetic nurse said a couple days ago. Mai wasn't sure that he would hear or remember, but what was the harm in trying? He could always pass it off as a hallucination. Upon learning the source, he probably would.
...And what, exactly, should she say to the comatose man she'd fallen in love with? It was acutely uncomfortable knowing how she felt but beings unable to voice it to him, especially since he was still in a medically induced coma that the doctors were waiting for him to come out of. Mai sat back and watched her with tears blurring her vision.
She remembered the exact second she'd fallen in love with him. It happened in a dirty, blood-encrusted, tiled room that contained a hospital gurney meant to restrain, and a bathtub in close proximity to each other. Mai had been pulled against a wall by the ghostly hands of one or both Urado's assistants: the ones that still helped him on his grizzly task even bough all three had long since died. It hadn't taken the rest of the team long to find her, what with the fact that she was screaming at the top of her lungs in absolute terror. But all of them, Bou-san included had simply stood there and stared. Only Lin had entered that room...
She reached out and took his hand, trying not to wince at how cold and lifeless it felt. "Ne, Lin-san, do you remember the case that took us to the Prime Minister's house?" Her voice came out a hushed whisper, as if she was afraid to disturb the still quiet he rested in. "What an absolute disaster I made of that case!" she said, laughing self-deprecatingly. She squeezed his hand gently and smiled, oblivious to the tears trickling down her cheeks. "It didn't take the others long to find me in that abominable room, you know. But they just... stood there, all of them, including Bou-san. But you... you were the only one to enter that room. You moved with such...grace and power. Watching you stride into that room, fury in every step... I started to fall in love with you." She chuckled weakly. "And here we are, nearly a year later, me completely in love with you but unable to tell you because mostly I'm scared. What a sight I am." She squeezed his hand again. "Wake up soon," she whispered, releasing him and standing.
Wiping away her tears, she collected her stuff and left the hospital, nodding to the nurses on her way out.
Lin's eyes fluttered open and he stared at the unfamiliar ceiling. He was...in a hospital? He surveyed the steady beep of the machines that monitored his heart and lungs and the IV next to the bed. Yes, it made sense that he was in the hospital. He remembered collapsing after a case. Funny, Taniyama-san's terrified eyes filtered into his mind. Had she been there...? Of course she'd been there, he chided himself. She was part of the team. His brow furrowed. He'd... collapsed in front of her, a direct effect of using too much power and not allowing himself sufficient time to recover before trying to do anything more. He remembered her frantic eyes as she tried to help him, but unable to. He distinctly recalled her pulling him into her lap and dismissed that as folly. Wishful thinking on his part, he assumed. Still, he couldn't shake the thought that it may have happened; nor could he shake the phantom feeling of her hands cupping his face and telling him not to worry, he'd be just fine before he lost consciousness.
Speaking of feeling... he glanced down at his hand and noticed the chair beside the bed. His hand had the distinct feeling of being held by another and the cushion looked recently sat in; he was willing to bet that it was still warm. A nurse bustled in, responded to the patient's change in status.
"Well, welcome back to the land of awake," she greeted.
"How long was I out for?" Lin asked, as she started to check his vitals.
She consulted his chart. "You were brought in a week ago. Your girlfriend-"
"Girlfriend?" he interrupted sharply.
"Yes. That's what we assumed and what she told the rest of us. She's visited you every day since you were admitted. She just sat there mainly. She was talking to you today, though."
Intrigued, he looked at the nurse, wracking his brains. He vaguely remembered hearing something, though. "Did you happen to overhear what she was saying?" he asked.
"I do believe she was recounting the time she knew she loved you. I wasn't paying that close attention," she said. "But you're lucky to have such a lovely girlfriend."
Lin stopped hearing the nurse's voice. Loved him? Taniyama-san loved him? Was that even possible with all the grief he'd given her over the years they'd worked together? The nurse's voice brought him back to reality. "Ishiwaka-sensei should be in momentarily," she told him, leaving the room.
Alone, he pondered what he'd heard from the nurse. Mai loved him. She'd also visited every day this week that he'd been in the hospital. He circled back to her feelings. He wanted to think it was absolutely impossible, but what if it wasn't? The nurse said she talked to me today. What did she say? he asked his Shiki.
A deep, guttural voice entered his mind. She was recalling the case where you summoned us to free her. And yes, came the wry comment, she did recount that she had begun to fall in love with you.
It had to be either a sick joke or completely impossible. But what if it wasn't? His Shiki couldn't lie to him. The doctor entered and he stored it away for the time being. He couldn't do anything in a hospital, anyways.
Mai hurried into the hospital and out of the rain. Why did it have to rain now, she lamented, hurrying onto the elevator and shivering when cool air rushed out of the vent she was standing beneath.
"Oh!" the nurse exclaimed when she saw Mai dripping wet and shivering from the elevator that recently disgorged her. "You poor thing. Let me find you a towel." She surveyed Mai's dripping form and added, "Several. I'm sorry you had to come all this way."
Mai's stomach pitched and fear raced through her. "What do you mean?" she asked slowly. Had things turned for the worst? She didn't see how that could be, though.
"Your boyfriend was released today." The nurse looked at her quizzically. "Didn't the hospital contact you as the significant other? They normally do."
Mai didn't know the penalty for lying about being in a relationship, so she said instead, "Ah... I'm sure they probably did, but I left my phone at home because I was late for classes. I came here right after my classes were done." That was the only true statement she'd said for the day. Since beginning college—a feat that a few years ago she was sure was impossible—she'd never once been late for class. She did, however, travel to the hospital right after her classes were over.
The nurse clucked sympathetically and collected the wet towels, shoving them into a bin for washing, later. "The gift shop sells umbrellas. Tell Hikaru-san that Keiko-san sent you and she'll give you a discount."
Mai thanked her profusely and twenty minutes later stepped out into the wet again, this time heading for work. Now that he was awake... what would happen? Had he heard her confession? In a wave of desperate panic she hoped not. He surely wouldn't appreciate it or approve. The ground they stood on as co-workers was barely stable and if he knew that she'd fallen in love with him, well… a disaster was waiting on the horizon.
Mai entered Shibuya Psychic Research with trepidation. Shaking off the excess water from the umbrella, she shut it and shoved it in the stand near the door and ran her hand through damp hair. She was dry—mostly, still a bit damp in some places, but at least she wasn't waterlogged. Her gaze traveled involuntarily to the closed door that led to Lin's office. The space beneath the door and carpet was dark—even though he'd been released, he wasn't in. Mai sighed dejectedly before she could stop herself. Everything was status quo now.
"Mai, tea!"
She shook her head and headed for the kitchenette. Yep, status quo. Tea, filing, and clients, half of the cases they wouldn't even take.
In the dimmed interior of the closed office, Lin stood just beyond the threshold. He took a deep breath. He had so much work to do, to get caught up on. Business hadn't stopped while he was recovering in the hospital from an overuse of magic. He shook his head at the irony: his charge was at their hotel and he... was here at the office—at night. He'd opted to take the day to simply recover outside of a hospital room and he felt mostly recharged. Mostly, but not all the way. A few days and he'd be good as new.
If you found a girl for a night... his second Shiki suggested.
Lin grimaced. He hated one-night stands. But his servant was correct: a one-night stand would go a long way to restoring him. Much as he hated to admit it, sex had healing properties that couldn't be denied. He'd think about it later; he still had work to get done. He moved beyond the threshold and into the common room and came to a stop when he saw a figure slumped over a desk—Mai's desk: Mai herself. He couldn't describe the feelings that coasted through him seeing the young woman. Then he frowned and bit back a vicious oath when he saw that she asleep at her desk. Why the hell had no one woken her before closing the office?
They tried, his third responded with what felt like a shrug, a gesture it had picked up from one of the people in the office, Lin was sure. She wouldn't wake. Besides, she has a key to the office; your ward decided that she was safe enough.
That was hardly the point, he decided walking silently over to her inert form. Reaching out, he shook her shoulder gently. "Taniyama-san," he said quietly. "Taniyama-san, wake up."
Her eyes opened slowly and she blinked rousing herself from her slumber. He flinched at her recoil and frowned. If she loved him, why was she scared of him? Belatedly, he realized that it was dark and he was little more than a shadow in her vision—a shadow looming over her in the pitch surrounding them. He'd recoil too if their situations were reversed.
"Taniyama-san, it's me, Lin."
"Lin-san," she breathed, relaxing immediately. "You scared me half to death."
"I can imagine," he responded, his voice wry. "I am sorry for that."
"It's okay." She knuckled sleep out of her eye and yawned, peering around. Her eyes must have alighted on the clock because she went rigid beneath the hand that still had contact with her shoulder. "I hadn't realized it was so late," she said. "What brings you here at this hour, Lin-san?"
Her stomach chose at that moment to rumble and he imagined that she flushed a brilliant scarlet.
"I was thinking of grabbing something to eat," he told her. Work could wait, after all. "Care to join me?"
She hesitated, but nodded and stood, collecting her stuff.
"I'll meet you by the door," he told her, moving towards his office.
Mai frowned. Had he come in to work? If so, was she inconveniencing him? "Lin-san… if you came to the office to catch up on some work… I can take a rain check," she offered. Or forget that he'd even mentioned eating together. Her fingers twisted in the hem of her second-hand shirt. What if he'd heard her? What if he thought it was a joke? She was quite sure her heart wouldn't be able to handle it.
"Nonsense. I'm as famished as you are. Hospital food leaves quite a lot to be desired, you know. Just give me one moment." Without giving her the chance to say more, he stepped into his office, turning on the light as he did.
Her breath left her in a rush. She'd never seen him in casual clothes. The closest she'd ever seen him in anything relaxed was… well, what he'd been wearing while they tried to find Masako. He'd discarded his suit jacket and tie, and rolled up his sleeves to show strong arms that she was sure would make her (or any girl) feel secure in their hold. In the light from his office, she saw him in a pair of jeans that fit him quite well, like they'd been made for him and a button down shirt; he looked magnificent in casual wear. She looked down at her own clothes: second hand blouse and skirt. Shoes that were the cheapest she could find and would start falling apart soon. All the sudden, the differences between them seemed to grow to epic proportions. Lin obviously came from money and she… was dirt poor and an orphan—you couldn't miss what you never knew, after all. Even if he heard or even remembered him confessing her love, it was absolutely impossible. This saddened her and seemed to bolster her, as well. To her mind, even though it could never be, at least he knew.
"Dare I ask what's put you in such a dismal state all of the sudden?" Lin asked.
She gasped and looked up sharply. When had he left his office?
He sighed and shook his head. "I've been there for a few moments waiting for you to finish your pity party." He took her hand and she blushed. "Do you have any preferences for where or what we eat?"
She wanted to dine like a lady escorted by a man but she scoffed internally. As if. "I don't," she told him. "You decide." She was fully expecting him to make use of the café below them.
Leading her out of the office, he locked the door and led her down the stairs, making sure that her hand was securely tucked into his so she couldn't wriggle away. They had quite a few things to hash out and damned if he was going to let her escape before they got the chance to discuss anything. He held the car door open for her but she paused, looking at the sleek Kia Sorento quizzically.
"The van is for office use only," he told her.
"I never imagined that Lin-san had a vehicle here," she told him, sliding into the car and putting the seatbelt on.
"Don't tell anyone," he said playfully.
She grinned. "Promise."
He took her to a favorite establishment that he'd found the first month he and Naru had been in Japan. It served American Soul Food—the stick-to-your-ribs dishes that he'd come to enjoy. In the restaurant, he ordered a gin and tonic—something that had Mai staring at him and him chuckling at her reaction. "I'm not a total social pariah, Mai. I do drink, just not very often."
She shook her head wonderingly and took a sip of her iced tea not brave enough to try anything alcoholic. "I never knew."
"I absolutely refuse to touch alcohol when we are on cases. But sometimes I will indulge in a drink. As I stated it's not very often; I can usually count on one hand how many alcoholic drinks I consume in a year."
"One hand," she mused, crunching on a piece of ice while they waited for the appetizers he'd ordered. He'd ordered the main course and dessert too, she thought. Then again, she wasn't very proficient in English and that was what the menu was.
The appetizers were delicious and the main course, too. They chatted about random things that were neither work nor school-related. He hadn't even brought up the fact that she'd visited him daily in the hospital for the duration of his stay. Mai had just about forgotten that he'd potentially heard her confession of love in his unconscious state. It rushed back when dessert came, however. As their waiter placed succulent chocolate trifles in front of them and handed them spoons, Lin took the opportunity to broach the subject that had become the elephant in the room.
"Just to clarify," Lin said, spooning up some of the decadent dessert and peering at her, "You fell in love with me during our case in Suwa, yes? Something about when I stepped into that filthy room where you were to join the legions that had died in there, am I correct?"
Her spoon clattered to the table and then bounced to the floor as she stared at him dismayed while he went on eating as if nothing had happened. All at once the food in stomach began to curdle and shame caused her to blanch. Her mind raced frantically. She had to fix this oversight of hers. She should never have taken that nurse's advice and talked to him. Better that he'd woken up not knowing her feelings. If she'd kept her mouth shut, he wouldn't have been obligated to take her on a pity date.
"I…" she started, trying to solve this dilemma.
"It's a yes or no question, Mai," he told her, using his spoon to gather some of the trifle from her plate and offer it to her. She blushed madly but took the pro-offered treat, something that made his heart beat madly.
She swallowed. "Yes," she responded. "You… were the last one to look into that room—everyone else was stationary just outside the door, unsure of what to do… even Naru!" Mai said, shaking her head. "Anyhow… I was trapped, Urado was hovering, I don't know what he was going to do, but I know it wouldn't have been pleasant. You… didn't care about that creature; you stepped into the room anyways, lethal and powerful, fury in every step it seemed, and called your Shiki to help me. Yes, that's when I started to fall in love with you. Before that, it…was a crush, but after that…" She shook her head. "But…I know it can't be because, well… I've come to terms with it," she finished in a rush.
"Can't be?" he echoed, feeding her more. "Why not?"
Now she hesitated. "Because… you're… you… obviously have resources that I don't have and I'm…" She gestured to herself helplessly. "I'm a girl on a pity date," she said finally.
"Pity date?" he asked her, brow furrowing. "Is that what you think this is?"
Actually, she was surprised that he was all right with being seen in any sort of public venue with her, therefore, she thought this was, indeed a pity date. He sounded upset at her conjecture, however. For the first time since the evening began, she wondered if she'd misjudged Lin severely. "Am I wrong?" she asked quietly.
He ignored her query on principle; she was very wrong. "Whatever Urado was planning for you was bound to be horrific and that's being nice. Would you like to know what I was thinking when I saw those spectral hands holding you in place?"
"What?" she whispered, unable to take her eyes off him.
"I was thinking… how dare they touch the person who holds my heart."
The tears that slipped down her cheeks had nothing to do with shame.
...~~...~~...
Hopefully this will keep you guys semi-happy while I pound out the next chapter of Dancing Queen. Slowly but surely it's coming along. A bit more patience, please.
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