A/N: First, I'd like to thank the following for not only reading my story, but reviewing. Your input and encouragement is greatly appreciated! You guys are awesome! :)

-Burnin angel-

Flamegirl5500

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Haunting Echoes

Chapter 4:

An awkward silence stretched in the room as the Davis', Lin and Takigawa watched over a sleeping Mai. She looked so terribly small and pale, her face pinched at times, almost as if experiencing a nightmare. Moans, pitiful and slight, spilled from her lips, brunette hair tossing slightly about on a beige couch.

"Gene."

Luella gasped as her deceased son's name was spoken. "Martin-"

"I know, Lu. We must be patient."

Noll quietly observed his parents and Lin, who was watching Mai with narrowed eyes. Apparently this young woman had a connection with his brother that was as strong as blood, if not more.

He reached out and laid his hand on her arm amidst Takigawa's and his parents protests. They didn't think it'd be a good idea. Mai could suffer a psychic breakdown to accompany her physical one. Regardless, he had to know. He had to know if she could reach Gene on another plane, had to see if she possessed the abilities that his brother had intimated over the phone.

Blue eyes narrowed, lips pressed tightly, he joined her in the dream realm and was momentarily relieved to witness Mai and Gene conversing. He'd been skeptical about her, about her love for Gene, and would remain so until proven otherwise.

He felt like a twisted voyeur as he observed the happiness between the couple, then the ultimate despair and sadness as they were ripped apart, thrusting himself and Mai back into the conscious realm.

Mai's brown eyes glanced at him with betrayal and pain. "What do you want from me," she choked out as she sat up. She was still slightly shocked upon Gene's admission in their dream. Naru, or Mr. Shibuya, was his identical twin. Then again, she remembered he'd told her shortly before his untimely death about his family. In the throes of tragedy she'd temporarily forgotten.

"Work for me."

An akward silence took hold. Everyone glanced at the young man in astonishment.

Luella disbelieved that he could be so cold and heartless towards the young woman. "Noll, do you think that wise?"

"Why not?" he replied without hesitation, shrugging his shoulders with a small motion.

Mai was confused. "Noll? Is that another nickname? I thought it was Naru."

"It is," confirmed Martin. "He has several nicknames he's known by."

Mai nodded silently. Her piercing gaze stared solely at Noll. "Why shouldn't I work for you?" Her voice grew cooler. "How about every day that I'm around you I'd be reminded of the loss of the man that I love. Your voice puts me on edge; even though you sound like him...your voice is like winter. Also, I have no way to predict how you'd treat me, your deceased brother's fiancée. I'm left with no basis for comparison, and I don't even know you."

Her eyes began to water. "I don't even know what you do for a living! It's not something illegal, that much I do know." She hastily added, "I've always known things," her words softened; their sound dying away.

Noll smirked, rising to the challenge. "And how would you know?" he questioned her.

"I just know," she insisted. "I can't explain it; not without sounding ridiculous and improbable."

"Well, at least your vocabulary isn't a total loss, so far."

Noll's father snapped out his name in a whip of anger and his mother scolded him, reminding him he wasn't raised to be rude and insensitive.

Embers of anger began to build in her eyes. "Excuse me? I know some rather large words, and some very crass words- words that I'm tempted to use on you..." her words trailed off.

"I don't think you'd be able to handle my line of work and remain mentally intact."

"Noll!"

His parents shocked, they were rather displeased to see him pushing her this hard and in this manner. It was too soon, and he could possibly cause a break-down.

"Wanna bet?" She squared her shoulders and stood, glaring at him through narrowed eyes, her body tense, her anger palpable.

He'd pushed too far today. She'd prove him wrong, and she'd give him hell while doing it. The thought of bringing this arrogant prick to his knees, despite being Gene's twin, brought her a twisted sense of pride, a somewhat dark happiness.

Exhaling sharply, she spoke coldly, her tone matching his. "You're on. I'll prove that I can handle whatever it is you do while maintaining mental stability." She reached down to retrieve her purse. "Furthermore if I go crazy it'll be because of you, not your job."

Naru smirked, knowing he had her. "Be here tomorrow. 8Am sharp. I do not tolerate tardiness or idiocy very well. I will inform you as to your duties tomorrow."

He turned away and walked into his office, closing his door softly.

Everyone else in the room, aside from Mai, couldn't speak. They'd been rendered speechless. Naru's actions had shocked them in a rather large way. Even Mr. and Mrs. Davis were looking at each other, and then at Mai, in stunned disbelief. Lin, leaning against one of the walls, closed his eyes, breathing deeply. Takigawa's eyes were bulging, his lips pressed tightly, his displeasure expressed in every aspect of his tightly clenched fists, back ramrod straight, and a flush across his cheeks.

Crossing the room to Mai, he gently took her elbow and led her to the door. The duo bid everyone farewell, the door closing heavily behind them.

A/N: Sorry the chapter's so short in comparison to the rest, but the next will make up for it. I also apologize for the lengthy delay in between updates. Next chapter will have everyone together on a case and the villain will make another appearance. I definitely have some plans in the works for this story. :) Until next time...