A/N: FINAL CHAPTER! There will be an epilogue after this in case you were wondering! Please, PLEASE, read and let me know what you think! Your input is important to me! Thank you! Enjoy!

Blue skies provided a clear backdrop against the greenery of the garden. Naru let his eyes wander skyward as he let himself be lost in his thoughts. Lin had quickly and efficiently arranged for Mai's departure last night and it didn't take Mai long at all to pack her things so her departure went off without a hitch. Both he and Lin decided it was best to keep her absence a secret until it was absolutely necessary…it would be easier that way.

He couldn't help but think that this was the best option for Mai. It was obvious that the environment was taking its toll on her mentally and physically. If he recalled, she had said it herself that she was troubled by the house and by the way she was being treated.

Naru concluded that it was best that he deal with the situation on his own and let Mai wait for his return in the safety of their own dwelling. If she was there then she could rest and recover…take time to collect herself and be able to get support from her friends and the other members of the team.

Letting her leave was the best option…he kept telling himself that but in truth he didn't want to let her go…let her out of her sight. Naru wanted her to be happy and he sure as hell didn't want to do anything that would hurt her or cause her trouble.

Little did Naru realize the line of thought Mai was festering as she left his home and the country of his upbringing….

-x-

"Is Mai not joining us?" Luella commented politely at the absence of the young girl. Naru couldn't help but look at the clock on the wall at the mention of the name. She was still in transit and would be for awhile. He sighed heavily. It was going to be a long day…

"Mai flew back to Japan early this morning so she will not be joining us." Naru replied flatly. He didn't feel like hiding the truth…it was bound to be found out eventually so he might has well come out with it now. "I intend to join her soon, so I hope we can expedite lingering affairs here as soon as possible."

"Oliver!" Martin exclaimed rather loudly. "What is the meaning of this!?"

"I want to be with Mai, simple as that. There is no other meaning to it." Naru resisted the urge to roll his eyes. He knew this argument was one that he would not be able to avoid. "You should know that by now…"

"And you should know that you are to stay at home now that Gene has been found." Noll's father responded flatly. "The only reason you were allowed to stay in Japan was so that you could find Eugene's body…and you have completed that task. There is no further reason for you to go back there."

"I beg to differ." Naru stated slowly. He had to make his parents see the value of having an office in Japan. It was true that the office originated solely for his purpose of finding Gene, but now the office actually had value in more ways than one. "You must realize by now, excluding all other considerations, Japan is an important place to stay. Business is plentiful, the cases are certainly interesting, and the working environment is challenging. Not to mention there is already a well established network and team already in place…it would be foolish to discontinue such a venture."

"That's not the point Oliver…" Luella calmly interjected. It surprised her to see how resolute her son was being with them. Ever since the death of the person closest to him, Noll had not really been candied with anyone…yet here he was in all seriousness with a passion she had only thought she would recall from times past. It was a wonderful thing to see yet rather disconcerting at the same time.

Lin watched on in silent observance. He understood the feelings Luella and Martin were trying to convey but he also knew all to well Naru's point of view…which he completely supports the relationship with Mai.

"The point is that Gene has been found and that fact should not have any bearing on whether or not I stay here. I am old enough to be able to stay where I please." Naru refuted coldly. He was already beginning to tire of the conversation. He loved his parents but they should allow him to do as he pleases; he would never do anything to disappoint them but he needed to be free to decide.

"Noll, dear" Luella voiced softly, "Do you so insistently wish to stay in Japan because of that girl?"

Words refused to surface and Naru remained oddly hesitant. If anyone would have been able to read his thoughts they would have found a whirlpool of conflicting and spiraling emotions. He wanted what was best for Mai but on the other hand he could not help but be selfish. Mai had shown repeatedly that she was only interested in the well being of anyone other than herself; she would gladly go along with anything asked of her if it was for his sake…

"…I…" Naru paused deciding to throw his pride out the window, "I need her. I need her more than I ever thought I could ever need someone. I do not want to be in a place without her by my side. That thought alone is almost unbearable…"

The tension and sentiments in the room were almost tangible as Naru lowered his head and clasped his hands between his legs. He took several deep breaths in the awkward silence that ensued. No doubt his mother felt sympathy to his confession but he was sure his father would never buy it.

"Then bring her here to stay with you. Once she is finished packing her things, she can return here to England. You say she has been working for you in Japan with ease so there should be no problem for the both of you to pick things up here." Naru's father responded just as he had expected; logically and to the point. He wanted Mai by his side and that could happen anywhere…not just Japan.

"We could even help send her to a good college here."

"Yes and maybe start her learning with an internship or study appren-"

"But Sir!" Lin interrupted letting his stoic mask falter, "You can't expec-"

"No." Naru's strong and commanding voice brought the room to silence. He finally realized what had been on Mai's mind this whole time. How could he have been so blind? She would be arriving in Japan soon, probably had let all the unnecessary matters eat her up as she sat alone waiting…how could he have been so brainless? "Mai would never come to stay in England and besides there is no way I could do that to her."

"What do you mean Noll?" His father questioned earnestly. "What is so wrong with coming here?

"It's not that it is wrong fundamentally but it is wrong for Mai." Naru explained calmly. "The Mai I fell in love with would not be the Mai that would come to England. A part of her would be lost if she stayed here in such a place and I do not want to do that to her."

"I agree." Lin voiced in support. "You would expect Mai to get an education, to become part of this society…but that is just not Mai. She is sensitive to her surroundings and to the people around her. She sees herself as just an ordinary school girl even though she is far from it. She has learned to never rely on anyone other than herself; she is strong yet fragile at the same time. Bringing her here and forcing her to conform to a lifestyle she neither is used to nor wishes for would only break that delicate balance she has built around herself. Oliver knows that…he loves her for exactly what she is and nothing more. In my opinion, I feel that Naru and Mai are well suited for that very reason; Mai can support Noll by just being herself. She does not need to change to be useful to him or to make him happy. She loves him from the bottom of her heart just the way he is."

Lin paused and sighed. "Can you not see that she would become something else if she came here? She could not be herself in this environment. She may be strong but the short time she was here was a good example of what would be to follow. She is strong enough to handle the slander and the criticisms spoken behind her back but she would take it upon herself to fix her behavior and the way she was seen even if Oliver told her not to. She is short tempered, emotional, and impulsive like that…she would force herself to change even if it meant losing herself in the process."

"I can't bear to lose that…" Naru looked at Lin with a rare smile before turning to face his parents. "Please understand…I am begging you to see what I have come to love and what I stand to lose if she is taken from me. I never thought I could feel anything again, not after having Gene taken from me, but before I knew it she had already made a space for herself in my heart and I couldn't help but care for her. It started as simple necessity and I was intrigued by her so I asked her to stay…but little by little I began to look out for her, care for her differently than I saw others. Caring turned into liking and liking slowly turned into love…"

"Noll…how can you be so sure of your feelings?" Luella's voice was full of understanding but also a mature tone that came with age and experience. She knew all too well the repercussions of a rushed love or hurried relationship. "You are both so young…so new to the ways of the world. From now on there will be many new experiences and trials that will tax you in ways you have yet to know. How can you be so sure in this love and relationship? Do you really want to tie her to you when she is barely out into the world?"

She had a point, which Naru didn't want to acknowledge even though it was painfully clear. He could vouch for his own feelings. He knew himself well; he was stubborn and set in his convictions which most likely meant it would be near impossible to change his feelings for Mai but she was just as his mother stated…young and new to the world. She hadn't even graduated and he was already making her his. Would she find someone she liked better in the future? Would she tire of him and leave? Would she wish for a calmer, more normal life?

The endless scenarios plagued Naru as he sat in silence. There was no way of knowing the future and he could not answer for Mai as much as he would have liked to…the questions he had were all possibilities but…

"That may be so…and there is no doubt that I am young according to your standards but I know this is what I need." There was a resolute nature in his normally monotone voice that captured the attention of Luella and Martin Davis. "It may be selfish and foolish of me but I know this love is genuine. I may have found it earlier in life than most, but if you haven't noticed I tend to complete normally prolonged tasks and accomplishments ahead of schedule. It seems only customary that I would find the love of my life early as well. I certainly can not attest to Mai's feelings but I hope she feels as deeply about me as I do about her. If her actions speak words, I would have to say she loves me a great deal and I know I would do the same for her and protect her with my life."

A sweet and unadulterated smile formed softly over Naru's features as he addressed his parents with his final thoughts on the subject. "I do not know what the future will bring, but I know the kind of man I have become and the kind of man you have both raised me to be. I will do all in my power to never give Mai a reason to leave me or to doubt this love or this relationship. If in the future her feelings change, I will do everything I can to turn her back to my side…she is that important to me. I want you both to please believe me; trust me as the son you raised and taught. I am not the type of person to sway or be irresolute in the things I wish for."

It seemed clear to both Luella and Martin that their son was serious and quite in understanding of things they thought he was not. He had matured since they last saw him. They had sent a broken genius boy to Japan and in return they received a more caring and worldly man. Yes, he was still young but he was committed to making his love work and that was the most important thing. Who where they to decide if his love would be fulfilled or not? It was Noll's responsibility…good or bad…he was the one that needed to hold his budding family together since he was the one that decided he no longer wanted to be a child.

With a deep sigh and knowing looks to one another, Luella slipped her hand over that of her husband's resting besides her…entangling her fingers with his. "We understand…" she answered for the both of them with a smile. "I know-"

The living space echoed with the resonance of a phone; the ringing caught everyone off guard causing the conversation to pause. Naru looked down to his vibrating cell phone with apprehension. His eyes flicked up to look at the clock…

Mai should have arrived in Japan by now…

-x-

"Mai's missing!" A frantic sounding Ayako voiced over the phone. She may have been trying to be calm but the obvious undertones where clearly coming through alerting Naru to her distress. "She is not where she was supposed to be!"

"Have you checked with the staff? Did she indeed land and check out her luggage?" Naru asked calmly knowing that he should not panic unless it was necessary to do so. When air travel was concerned, things like this happened often. Flights were delayed or rerouted. There could have been overbooking and passengers could have been shifted around. There was no need to worry…yet nothing Naru told himself could quell the growing pit at the bottom of his stomach.

"Oh course I checked!" Ayako shouted rather rashly. She already had been waiting for over an hour after the flight Mai was supposed to be on had landed. "I talked to the attendants and they confirmed that Mai had arrived and she even checked out and picked up her luggage. I waited where we all agreed to meet and yet I have not even seen a trace of her…"

"It could be she has been delayed in the airport. Try getting security to look for her." Naru said sternly. It was not like she was a child lost and unknowing. There should not have been any problems with such a simple rendezvous.

"Naru, you don't understand!" Ayako snapped. "When she was not where she was supposed to be and I found out that she did indeed arrive…I called her cell phone and couldn't get through. Her house phone has been disconnected…I called Bou-san to run over and check her apartment while I waited…" Ayako hesitated and the silence caused the pit in Naru's stomach to wretch painfully. "…Mai was….it seems Mai was kicked out of her apartment ages ago. She went behind our backs and never told any of us!"

Naru clenched his teeth and unconsciously clenched his fist tightly as well. He knew he needed to remain calm and in control but once again he was finding it hard to do so. Mai had again kept important information from him for some reason and now she was missing without a trace. "Have you checked my house?" The question was obvious and the answer he knew would be futile but he allowed himself that small percentage of hope…

"Bou-san went there as soon as he learned about her apartment. She hasn't been there…" Ayako voiced sadly. "We have no idea where she might be despite out best efforts…"

Lin, Luella, and Martin watch as the color drained from Naru's face at each passing second he is on the phone. It was obvious that something unexpected had happened and from the sound of it Mai was at the center. Luella noted that her son looked as if he had been physically wounded yet he didn't know how to control the emotions he was feeling. He was desperately trying to keep his cool yet his outward appearance gave little indication of such.

It was so clear…clear as finely made glass…the depth of their son's feelings for the girl that was the topic of the phone call. It only took one word that she might be in trouble to shatter is normally unshakeable demeanor. They didn't need words to see how deeply he cared for her and loved her…

…to the point of irrationality…

-x-

"Keep looking" Naru snapped back, his eyes narrowing into a dangerous glare that was wasted on the location he was presently stuck in. "Alert me to any changes; I'm on my way."

The cell snapped loudly shut and Naru abruptly stood. "Oliver?" His father questioned, oblivious to the actual content of the conversation that was just spoken over the phone.

"I'm leaving immediately" Naru announced as he was already rushing to the exit. "Lin, take care of it."

"Wait!" Luella and Martin called after Naru but he had already rushed from the room. "What is going on?"

"It seems Mai is missing." Lin explained as he quickly got out his laptop to check flight times and availability. "She was supposed to meet with one of the other team members at the airport, but it seems she never made it there. From what I can gather, she arrived as scheduled but now she is nowhere to be found…"

-x-

Determined, quick steps sounded as Naru hurried to gather his things before debarking for the airport. He knew that he should not think so bleak, but he couldn't help but fear the worse. Why didn't she tell him that she had lost her apartment? What was going on that made her lease expire? There were so many questions yet to be asked but Naru only could focus on one…the most important one of all; where was Mai?

Quickly packing his things, Naru turned his attention to the rest of the room. He desperately looked for an item of Mai's…anything that may give him a clue to her whereabouts. Naru flinched letting his fingers pause from tracing around the room…an uncontrollable fear washed over him. Flashbacks of Gene going to Japan washed over him like a chilling glacial spring. Naru had never intended to watch him die after touching his shirt, yet he did. For the rest of his life the vivid images would never fade; he was scared to see…

"Foolish…" Naru muttered through clenched teeth. He was not this weak; he had grown since that time. Naru tightened his fist before slowly releasing his grasp and let his fingers gently grace the surface of the bed they had shared not that long before. Traces of Mai saturated the room yet he saw nothing of the present, nothing that could be of use…nothing that could calm his raging emotions.

There was nothing left in the room to look at…

Dissatisfied, Naru quickly rushed to his own given room that he once shared with his brother long ago. It was the only place that came to mind that Mai might have visited before leaving the house. It was clear she knew about the house and past things that occurred there so she may have decided to see it for herself…the place that remained virtually unchanged since that time…

Naru suddenly stopped upon entering the room and his eyes fell upon the table that rested next to the bed…there sitting perfectly square in the center of the polished surface was his black leather appointment book, the book that he never left without.

Had Mai brought it there for him?

Slowly touching the cover, Naru fliped it open tentatively. Mai's wedding ring, revealed from its hiding place, glinted brightly from the well lit room. Scribbled on the paper below, dampened by a tear drop, was a note in Mai's distinct handwriting.

"I'm sorry…" Naru read aloud, a cringe forming over his face as he grabbed the ring and clutched it tightly. He would not let this be the end and he sure as hell was not going to allow her to have the last word.

-x-

"We can leave whenever you are ready." Lin informed as Naru re-entered the room. "If the flight remains on time, we will arrive by late evening or early morning."

"Thank you…" Naru voiced quietly, holding tightly to the ring still in his hand. "I fear we can not get back fast enough…this uncertainty is maddening."

"Oliver…" Luella ventured. She wanted her son to stay within her sight, stay right next to her as he was now…yet he was set and determined to leave just as her other son had done and never returned. She wanted to forbid him to go…

"What am I going to do if anything happens to her?" Naru said uncharacteristically to his parents. He gripped his upper arm tightly as if to reassure himself it would be okay. He didn't know how to plead or beg…it was not in his nature. Yet…he had to go and he had to make them understand. "I never thought I could ever care for anyone ever again…but her…only her I can not lose…"

Slowly, Naru let his free hand slip open revealing the ring that he had secured there. "I…" Naru started, looking down, "I love her so much and yet she left the ring behind…"

Martin sighed. He knew his son, and he knew that it had been a long, long time since he had last seen his vulnerable side. "You have not seen anything yet…correct?"

"Hrm?" Naru looked up at his father addressing him.

"There is still time…" Martin sighed again before he appeared before his son, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Go to her and reassure her. She must have been scared with the sudden talk of her staying and the direction things where going here. Please make your feelings clear to her, don't let her get away…"

"Father…"

"We can talk about this in more detail at a later time…" Martin finished before embracing Naru in a tight hug and wishing him well on his way. Luella reiterated her husband's sentiments and saw Noll and Lin off without delay.

In a little under twelve hours, Naru and Lin arrived in Japan. Never once did he release his grasp on Mai's ring nor let the words on her note be far from his thoughts. He had plenty of time to decide on a plan but for once in his life he was unsure of what exactly his actions would be. He would just have to come up with something when he got there…which was not something he was accustomed in doing.

"It is late Naru." Lin broke the silence as they drove toward the house. They had already been in contact with Matsuzaki-san and found out that she and the others had been unsuccessful in locating Mai. "We should head to the house before we proceed further."

Naru remained silent and glanced out the window at the steadily falling rain. "You may return to the house and wait for me there; drop me off here."

"Naru?" Lin slowed and looked at the boy in question.

"Its alright…we'll be home shortly. I won't let her go a second time." Naru stepped from the car and smiled, his hand revealing the ring. "I will bring her back."

Lin smiled in return and watched Naru's figure fade as he pulled away into the darkness. He knew this was a task that only Naru could accomplish and he could only smile and wish him well. He was sure to get a briefing about it later, but that would have to wait. For now all he could do is patiently await their return…

-x-

Naru leisurely navigated his way through a desolate park nestled in perfectly manicured landscape. It was dark and the rain was not letting up, but that didn't slow him down in the slightest. He knew exactly where he was headed, knew exactly what he was looking for. He didn't need to see since his senses where leading the way and he didn't need to hurry since he knew that the object of his desire was simply napping.

Mai startled awake, gasping slightly as she looked out into the rain. She was cold but luckily dry for the most part due to her hiding place under the play structure. Her eyes searched frantically through the darkness for what had awakened her, but she didn't see or hear anything out of the ordinary.

"You have everyone worried you know…"

Mai nearly bolted right into the concrete barrier before her, but stopped herself as recognition seeped in. She settled back down and allowed her nerves to calm before she spoke. "I have no right to have so many people worry for me…" Mai claimed softly.

Naru scoffed, his figure somewhat visible in the rain. "No matter what, I will always worry for you…and I will be very annoyed if you make this a habit of yours to have me chase after you in blind panic."

Mai's eyes widened and she was glad that it was dark so that Naru could not see her blush. She was guarded, but truth be told she wanted him to come for her. She was throwing a tantrum, like a child, in her moment of weakness but she wouldn't let it happen again. She couldn't believe how stupid she had acted. It was so foolish…

So, so foolish…but she still grabbed the hand that was offered to her and allowed herself to be pulled into the drizzle. She stood there a moment, hand in hand, her body pressed against Naru's. Her eyes were adjusting, though she wished they hadn't. The rain drenched clothes, droplets of water dripping from the ends of his hair, his warm breath forming in the cooled air…it all increased his handsomeness at least three fold. It was overwhelming.

Mai let her eyes wander up and went wide-eyed as she was able to see the gaze looking back at her. Naru's eyes showed nothing but the clearness of his love for her…that there was nothing he wanted more in the world than her. Mai's breath caught in her chest and her heart felt like it would burst.

"There has been something I have been meaning to ask you." Naru said smoothly not letting go of her hand. "It's been on my mind for some time."

Mai didn't think her eyes could become anymore wide nor her face any more red. She could hardly breathe due to her heart pounding so hard against her chest. It was a sweet, sweet pain that she had never experienced before…she liked the warm ache that flooded over her. Mai felt a fluctuation in Naru's grasp suddenly; was it nervousness? Mai never broke her gaze with Naru, a smile was tugging at his lips but he was not allowing it to show. Why?

It was practical agony for Mai to wait in the silence, the only sound was that of the rain pattering softly against their soaked bodies. It felt like hours had passed when it had only been seconds but all she could see was Naru's warm expression…such a rare sight…it was stunning. Her heart beat painfully hard, so much so that her chest started to hurt. What would he do?

Taking a small gulp, Naru moved back slightly and lowered himself to the ground letting his hand remain elevated in Mai's grasp. It took a moment for Mai to realize what was happening; her hopes and dreams were closing in so quickly that her mind went blank…she registered that her free hand had rushed to her agape mouth as if to prevent her from saying anything stupid or to muffle the screams of inaudible joy…she could not be sure as to which since her mind was unable to form any kind of coherent thought at the moment.

Naru's knee sank slightly into the cold, wet grass of the park and all Mai could do was look down at him and try not to cry, though her efforts were mostly mute. "I love you Mai…" he started softly, catching her gaze with his own. "Please do not ever leave me alone, be my wife and remain by my side…" His tone became serious and deep, "Will you marry me? Please?" He added on for good measure since he knew Mai hated it when he didn't ask politely.

The tears Mai had been so desperately trying to hold back came cascading down her face and the smile Naru had been suppressing finally appeared brightly on his face. He could read her like a book and he knew that her tears were none other than tears of happiness. Her eyes were gleaming with joy and Naru was sure that behind her cupped hand was a brilliant smile.

Mai decided it was not so bad having her narcissistic boss so rarely devoted. She would probably never be able to see him like he was now again. Removing her hand and smiling brightly, Mai gently kissed Naru's forehead before she leaned lower and captured his lips in a loving kiss to which Naru raised his head to meet her.

"I will!" She looked down at Naru, the smile on her face never fading. It was the bright smile that he enjoyed so much after all. She was so truly happy; it would be hard to get the expression off her face even if she tried.

"You forgot this…" Naru smiled as he slipped the ring onto her finger once again…this time for good.

Mai's smile brightened even more and Naru rose to embrace her tightly before leading her home hand in hand…

Specifically, their home…

Te valde amo, ac semper amabo...

"Te amo…te amo…" Naru said quietly as they walked. He would repeat it no matter how many times it took as long as it would keep her by his side…

"What's that?"

"I'll tell you later…" Naru smirked at the fact that he would be able to keep the secret to himself a little longer…

I love you very much, and always will forever…

I love you…I love you…

~End~

A/N: So, that's that! A huge thanks to all of you who helped me with this story (namely Kelsea, Sarah, Shelby, and others) and thank you to all who have followed this from the start! I look forward to the next story and I hope you all check that out as well when I start posting it! Please look forward to the epilogue in the next week or so! Thank you!