Another chapter! I hope everyone enjoys.

Mai stood slowly, concealing a sigh, as Martin requested her presence for some more tests after handing Lin a pile of case files to look over. Lin couldn't tell if Mai was more disappointed in more testing or not being able to read the case files. Three weeks of polite conversations had outlined a battery of tests over the course of this week and last and Mai had come back more depressed after each one.

Surprisingly Martin had kept the results secret while Mai sank deeper into a depressive state. She knew she had failed them. Martin's body language had shown it clearly, yet he continued with the assigned tests for the fourth day this week. Lin doubted she had failed them. Mai was undoubtedly psychic, but as Noll had termed it, her psychic instincts sometimes hid themselves to protect her. Yet neither him nor Noll had been asked or allowed to interpret the data or have any part of the testing. When Mai asked him about why he was not helping she saw through the logical answer he had supplied.

*Flashback*

~~"Koujo?" Mai spoke his name sending a thrill through his spine. "Why is Martin not having you assist with the tests or letting you or Naru know the results?"

"Possible bias." He set his pen aside and stretched his arms above his head before explaining further. "To prevent bias or possible sabotage, favoritism from friends or associates." He stated blandly, not truthfully believing the words.

Mai tipped her head to one side, "He thinks you would skew the results?" She asked her words full of skepticism. "Or he wants to prove something without your assistance." Lin allowed the corners of his mouth twitch up into a smile. She was very perceptive.~~

*end*

Standing obediently Mai followed Martin to the door with a forced congenial smile. "What are we doing today?"

"I can't explain the process until after the test, but I assure you. It is nothing you haven't seen or done before on a case."

Mai nodded, Lin noted she was not reassured. She may have even tensed at his words. Was she uncomfortable around Martin? Lin wondered, or was there something else bothering her? He would have to ask her tonight if she was not too tired after supper. Even if she thought she failed the tests they wore her out. She had already meditated and worked on her astral projecting earlier with him secretly and might be tired again tonight. He would have to say something soon, but where would his words make the best impact? He considered as he opened the first file.

Martin led Mai down to the testing wing. This area took on subtle changes. Easily noticeable was the color of the paint. It was lighter with patches and slight differences in areas. Yet she felt a deeper change. The walls were thicker, heavier. They seemed to close in on her the deeper they went. Mai walked two steps behind and one step to the side of Martin. He did not turn to look at her until they were at the chosen door.

She hesitated, it was another thick wall with an equally thick door. She would soon be inside as Martin's voice was piped in through speakers telling her what to do. "How is the testing going? Will there be many more tests after this?"

"We only have a few more tests scheduled. After tomorrow you can take the weekend off and we can finish testing next week." Martin offered.

Mai nodded, "A break would be nice." She agreed.

"OK," Martin nodded down at Mai. "A little more testing today and then you can have a break."

Mai walked into the room and was surprised to find an office chair and bed on one side of the room while several antiques lined the other wall. There was a camera placed in two opposite corners in the room while the proverbial speaker sat just beside the door. Mai forced a grin at the camera. Someone would be watching, sadly it was not Lin or anyone else she knew or trusted. She looked warily at the chair and the bed.

"According to case files and reports," Martin explained, "Sometimes your best results are in your sleep. Today there are several items that may hold a residual haunting or memories. Simply get comfortable and I will be watching. Talk to me if it helps just tell us of any impressions you might get." Mai nodded as she sat in the chair. Martin gave her thumbs up before turning and closing the door as he left her alone.

Mai tapped her hands restlessly on the arms of the chair. One of these items might be haunted, but which one. She examined each in turn.

First was an old guitar, strings were tight and a worn leather strap drooped to the ground beside it. Next to it was a hand carved rocking chair an old lumpy cushion laid flat and well worn in the seat. Third, a necklace lay in an open jewelry box.

Each one showed it age with well-worn edges and deep-set stains and tarnish. Mai eyes each one carefully, How am I supposed to know about these? She wondered. Naru would touch them and the thoughts, memories and history they held spilled like an open book to him. She thought. Masako had similar process using an item to link to a spirit or memory. Mai reasoned it would be safe to touch the objects, mediums used different methods of contacting spirits and they would set a test up to allow for the different possibilities.

She stood and approached the items. First the locket. They were known as precious heirlooms worn and be held at the crux of life. She sensed nothing picking it up. Holding it a few moments garnered no new information or response.

Opening the locket she found a worn picture, faded by time and ware. It was unrecognizable and never replaced. She studied it a moment before replacing it back onto the box. She examined the box closer. A solid light wood unlike she had ever seen before.

"I wonder," she mused aloud. "What kind of wood this is?"

She gently traced the carving in the wood. Beautiful if flawed by the carvers own humanity. It was even more beautiful for each flaw.

"Arctic pine," A voice echoed through the speaker. "From the mountains of north America. A very precious and old wood." The voice pulled her from her revelry. She needed to concentrate, this was a test and Martin expected the best. Not only him but Lin and Naru were counting on her. Her hand drooped from the box.

She moved over to the guitar. Monk treasured his guitar. A companion even when he was cast out from the temple, his guitar was treasured. She fingered the strap. Monk kept his guitar with him even on cases it was carefully placed in the trunk of his car. She had spied him once playing it past midnight after a particularly long day. Worn leather strap with cracks where the leather had dried. Although once treasured it had not been cared for as of late. Her fingers trailed down the strings and back up to the neck. Even the neck showed a well worn hand print. Although she could see the care someone had once taken she felt nothing in it, no spirit, no remnant of memories.

"I don't know how to tune you or I would." She remembered the monk tuning his guitar like a religion. It calmed him. "If I had oil I would work it in your leather," she murmured her apologies and then stood.

She looked towards the camera then spoke to the speaker. "I don't sense anything from any of these." She waited in the accustomed silence. There was a familiar click before someone began speaking.

"That is OK, how about trying to sleep?" she recognized Martin's voice. "Cases show that sometimes helped you."

Mai looked over at the bed. Reluctantly she moved toward it. It was a simple cot, sheets and blanket, she didn't dare tell him she was more comfortable on a couch. Mai opened up the sheets and slipped between them then laid her head on the pillow. They were warm and clean. She looked over to the other items in the room. The guitar, the rocking chair, the locket and the jewelry box. They all seemed normal to her. She tucked her arms up under her and curled up as though to sleep but her eyes stayed open, watching the items.

She waited, sleep did not come. Senses did not change. She felt the same. She rolled to the other side, looking away from the wretched objects that kept her locked in here. She wouldn't let herself cry in this lonely stone room, wouldn't let Martin see her weakness or Lin worry about her. She rolled to her back and counted the ceiling tiles. There were 32, eight across five deep. She'd counted them 5 times, then multiplied length by width. It all came out the same.

After what seemed forever she sat back up. "Professor?" she called out to the speaker. "I don't think this is going to work."

There was hesitation. Then she heard the familiar click, "It's OK, Miss Taniyama." The voice was familiar, the same second voice she always heard. A touch of sympathy laced his voice. "The professor will be in a moment."

"Sir, may I ask your name?"

There was another hesitation. "I am Charles, once all the testing is through I would be happy to introduce myself."

"There is more scheduled?" Mai asked happy to have a human conversation with the voice.

"One tomorrow and a few more next week," he paused again. "I hear you have the weekend off, do you have plans?"

"Not yet." She looked down at her finger nails.

"You should ask someone to take you tomorrow for fish and chips, there is a nice place near the river and they will be having fireworks over Big Ben."

"That sounds nice. I will ask Lin-san." She closed her eyes and somehow picture a nice young man behind a screen, crew cut brown hair with an earring on the right ear. He wore a dress shirt but left the top three buttons undone. "I hope you have a nice weekend also."

"I will be there myself."

Martin opened the door and stepped into the room. Mai knew he was upset, disappointed but he tried to hide it in his words. "Well, Miss Taniyama," using her last name always showed his disappointment. "You did well; I hope this test did not worry you too much."

She stood and met him at the door. "No, it was OK."

"We only have a few more tests. Then we can work on a more in depth training schedule."

"OK," she looked up at the professor hopefully. "I was hoping to be able to speak with some mediums and learn their techniques."

"We have several who might be helpful, although they are busy we will try to have you meet with one next week."

Mai nodded. She followed the professor silently. Evasion, Lin stated there were over 13 in residence, 5 not including her currently in training, only 4 were out on cases according to the case files. Martin was disappointed in her or worst, he thought she didn't have any abilities at all. She looked up at his retreating back, hoping he didn't give up on her, or lose trust in his son.

What do you think should happen next? Let me know if you like it or not. Thanks for reading!