The day continued on and so far there wasn't much activity going on. The temperatures changed but it wasn't a severe change. Mai had gone from room to room and changed the tapes; she took temperatures and got Naru his tea for the umpteenth time that day. It was now going on 7 PM and she was tired and starting hungry. She sat in base sighing bored as can be hoping something would happen.

"Naru" She called.

"Yes Mai?"

"Is there anything you want me to do?"

The room was silent as he looked at her wondering why she would ask such a thing when she hated work.

"No, you may go and eat dinner if you'd like." His eyes went back to the file he was reading,

Mai rose from her seat and left the base and headed to the dining room. She entered and sat down and let out a sigh.

"Are you alright young Miss?" She looked up to see Cullen.

"I suppose. Just a bit bored. Nothing has happened yet." She let out a sigh. "I kind of wish something would."

He nodded and listened. "I tell you what I'll make you whatever you want for supper, if it'll cheer you up."

Mai smiled. "Thank you."

"What would you like?"

Mai thought a moment. "Could you make chicken pot stickers and some rice balls?"

He smiled. "Sure thing Miss." He rose from his seat but stopped before he entered the kitchen. "I take it you'd like tea to drink?"

Mai smiled. "Yes please." She sat waiting for her food. After a half an hour wait he came out with her plate and bowl. She smiled brightly.

"Tea'll be out in a minute." He entered the kitchen and moments later came out with a hot cup of tea. He set it down for her. "It's a special recipe. I made it myself."

Mai smiled again at him. "Thank you so much." She began to eat. "Cullen."

"Yes?"

"I'm sorry about earlier."

"Its fine Miss, eat your food and drink your tea." He smiled at her and went back into the kitchen.

Mai smiled and happily began to eat. She had missed his dark aura and his evil smile as he turned and walked away. After she ate she began to drink the tea. It had tasted wonderful.

"This is a very special recipe. I'm glad we could be friends." Mai thought as she leaned back full and happy. She finished the tea and got up and headed back to base to continue work.

The base was empty yet again and Mai sat watching the monitors writing down any changes. So far there was nothing. A while ago Monk and John had gone and done some exorcisms in each room, which in turn made everything, feel almost normal. Mai still had a feeling that nothing was fine. She took another drink of water hoping to get the burning feeling from her mouth. After an hour she began to feel sick and had to leave the room several times to empty her stomach.

Lin was in the base with Mai researching still. He couldn't figure out the connections in all the deaths. Nothing seemed to connect. He noticed Mai drink a lot of water and then ended up leaving several times. He had figured she just drank too much water and it was getting to her but the last time she came back he noticed she seemed to look ill.

"Taniyama-san?" He said to get her attention. She was resting her head on the desk and holding her stomach. "Mai?" He was growing concerned. "Are you alright?"

"N-No, Lin. I feel like I've vomited my stomach out several times, my mouth is burning as well as my throat and I have a massive headache." Her voice was hoarse and she sounded miserable.

"You should get to bed."

"Can't. Naru needs me to watch the –"She cut herself off thinking she was going to get sick but didn't. "To watch the monitors."

"Go I'll watch them."

"I can't do that to you Lin." She argued lamely.

"Go Mai." He ordered.

"Fine but only cause I agree with you." She stood and began to walk only to collapse onto the floor.

Lin immediately rose to his feet and went to her. "Are you alright?"

"I think so." Mai frowned thinking. "I don't know why but I feel weak. My body feels limp."

Lin picked her up and carried her to her room. He laid her down and covered her up.

"Thank you Lin."

"You're welcome." He gave her a small smile and left her room.

Mai was confused at why she was all of a sudden ill. She had never experienced anything like this. "I feel weak and all tingly all over." She thought. Mai closed her eyes to sleep. She dreamt peacefully happy to be refreshed when she woke up the next morning. As she opened her eyes she began to panic and screamed. Moments later her door busted open.

"Mai what is it?" Monk shouted at her as he looked around ready to cast away anything that would try to hurt her.

"I – I can't see!" She cried out.

"What?" Monk walked over to her bed.

"I can't see anything. Everything is dim and blurry." Mai began crying unsure why this was happening to her. Monk wrapped his arms around her and gave her a hug.

"It'll be okay Mai. I promise." He held her close hugging her. "Come on I'll take you down to breakfast."

Mai nodded, stood and collapsed yet again. She tried to hold herself up but was failing miserably. Eventually she couldn't and lay on the ground beside her bed. Bou-san helped her up.

"Can you walk?" He released her some to see if she could but she couldn't and he caught her.

"I can't feel anything." Her voice was soft and she looked as if she was on the verge of tears.

"I'm going to take you to base and bring you breakfast. It'll be easier." He picked her up and carried her into base. He laid her down on a cot and told her he'd be back.

Mai laid there crying wishing whatever was happening would stop. She heard the base door open.

"Monk?" She asked.

"Mai why haven't you changed?" John asked.

"I – I can't." she sniffed. "I can't see and my limbs are useless. I can't move at all." She sniffed again.

"What do you mean you can't move?" Naru questioned.

Mai frowned. "What part of I can't move can you not understand? My body is limp and useless. I couldn't move even if I tried." She was getting frustrated.

"Mai, I've got you you're breakfast." Monk said as he entered the base. Mai had said nothing. "Mai?" He walked over and shook her. "Don't tell me you fell asleep?" he sighed ended up sitting by the cot and ate her breakfast.

The day continued on and it was already past 2 and going on 3. Mai had not woken up and everyone was starting to worry. Time continued and still nothing. A few times Monk had tried to wake her but got no response. Lin was in base keeping an eye on her as the others left to do research in Murakami-san's library. Lin looked at her and went to check on her. She was a bit feverish. He checked her pulse and realized it was really low. He frowned and stood up. He quickly left the base and headed to the dining room. Once there he saw the other three members eating.

"Takigawa, what did Mai do last night before she watched the monitors?"

"Nothing, just eat dinner and recheck temperatures. Why?" He asked confused.

"What did she eat?"

"I don't know. She just told me that the head chef made it for her to cheer her up since the case had been slow."

Lin thought a moment. He then entered the kitchen and began talking to some of the cooks.

"A young lady was served food and I want to know what she was served."

"Look sir, I don't know what was served."

"The head chef made it himself."

"Ah you mean the special dish?" Another cook said. "Pot stickers and rice was all. Why?"

"What did she have to drink?"

"Tea, though it was his special tea. She must be something special for the chef to make his special tea." Yet another cook spoke. "It's homemade. He makes the best. Though he added some honey to it this time. I suppose she likes it sweet."

"May I see the honey?"

"Sure thing." The cook went and grabbed it and handed it to Lin.

"What's it made from?"

"Not sure though, Chef uses flowers. Though I don't know how you get honey from a flower." A cooks said confused and thinking about it.

"May I have the flower?"

"Sure." The cook left and moments later came back with the flower.

"Thank you." Lin nodded and left.

"Lin what's going on?" Naru commanded. He and the others followed Lin back to base.

"I think I may have found the source of her illness."

"What?" Monk said confused. "You mean the food she ate?"

"No, tea that was served to her." He entered the base and immediately began typing trying to find a match to the flower; only five minutes later did he find it. He sighed. "I feared this."

"What is it?" Naru's voice demanded.

"The honey that was put into her tea was from a rhododendron."

"What's that?" John asked.

"It's a flower. A poisonous one to be exact. It generally doesn't do too much harm to you." He looked at the flower on the desk. "But if it's been enchanted by a sorcerer or the like, it can be very deadly." He looked between the three standing. "Mai has been experiencing symptoms since last night. She is now in a coma. She won't wake until she has the cure."

"Where is it and how much time do we have?" Naru questioned.

"The only cure is in England. It's a certain special herb mix. As for the time, depends on the spell. If I were to estimate no more than a day or two."

"Is there a way to extend the time?"

"I can look for something to prolong it, but it most likely won't hold it off for long."

"How long?"

"It will extend it for at least another two to three days."

"Lin, if we don't get the cure to her in time what will happen to her?" John asked.

"If we fail, Mai dies."

Author's note:

To all of you who would like to know that flower is poisonous.. I found it on a webiste. Just to let you know it cannot kill you but it can cause you to fall into a coma and have convulsions. all the symptoms are true though they aren't in that order. I hope you have been enjoying the story so far R&R if you could. thanks.

~EmeraldStar-goddess~