When they broke apart Mai looked at him blushing madly. He smiled at her.

"G-Gene"

"Yes Mai?"

"I don't feel any different."

"What? Was I that bad?"

Mai giggled. "No, I mean I don't feel different than before. I mean there's no pain but I feel as if I'm just dreaming."

Gene raised an eyebrow at her comment. He knew he felt different. There was coldness and then everything was okay. "Mai, maybe you didn't feel the coldness because we kissed. You could still be dead."

"I know." She nodded.

Back in the real world…

Lin sat panting. He was tired and had focused a lot of energy on this spell. He wasn't ready to let Mai go. She couldn't say good-bye just yet. He let out a heavy sigh when he saw her chest continue to rise and fall. She made it. He gave a tired smile and stood up. He then walked to base.

"It's done." His voice was as it always was. "We now have no more than three days to get her the cure."

"Good." Naru was the only one to respond seeing as John and Monk were still depressed about Mai. "How long before Modoka finds the cure?"

"I'm not sure. She said she would notify me when she –"His cell phone interrupted him.

"Lin Koujo."

"Lin, it's me Modoka. I've got the herb mix."

"Good."

"But I've got bad news." She sighed. "We've got some terrible weather and it looks like I won't be able to make it out until tomorrow afternoon."

"Fine we'll be waiting." He hung up and looked to the group. "She won't be able to get here until tomorrow afternoon. I suggest we eat supper and head to bed. First thing in the morning we need to track down Cullen and notify the police. "

"Very well" Naru said.

"Are we going to let Murakami-san know we've finished investigating?" John asked.

"Yes. First thing in the morning" Naru replied. The team headed out of base and went to bed. Lin remained behind and began to slowly shut down the monitors. His body was beginning to return to normal or what felt like normal. He would be glad to return home and get a full nights rest. After he finished shutting everything down and he decided against returning to his room. He arose from his seat shut the base door behind him and climbed the stairs. He hadn't realized just how much energy he put into casting that spell. He turned the knob and slowly entered the room. He crossed the room after shutting the door behind him. As he stood looking down at the sleeping figure he couldn't help but let himself smile. "Mai, I don't know how you did it but I'm glad." He thought. He leaned down and pressed his lips to her forehead then went to a chair sitting by the window and sat. He watched her for an hour before he passed out from exhaustion

Everyone had woken and met in the base room at 8am the next day. The night had been long and no one had slept comfortably due to the want of bringing Mai back and arresting Cullen. It was decided that Lin and Takigawa would be the ones to call the police and get Cullen. Naru and John were to go and get Modoka when she arrived but that was after they would take down base and all cameras.

Lin and Takigawa entered the dining room and headed toward the kitchen.

"Excuse me!" Takigawa said loudly causing all chefs to look at him. "I'm looking for Cullen."

"What do you want?" He spoke up and walked to them. "I'm busy running a kitchen. I ain't got time for your silly ghosts."

"We're not here to ask about weather or nor you've experienced anything. We're here about those girls who have drunk your tea."

Cullen stood there for a split second then turned and ran out the back door. Takigawa cursed and he and Lin began to chase him down.

In the dream realm…

Mai sat looking at Gene and him her. They we're currently having a staring contest. A few moments later Gene blinked.

"Ha! I won!" Mai yelled happily. She looked at Gene. "Is everything alright?" He looked distracted and had a frown on his face.

"I don't know Mai. Something just seems different."

Mai frowned and began to think. "I don't know how. I mean, I'm a little clueless when it comes to being dead and all." She looked around trying to sense something, specifically what he was sensing. "I'm not getting anything."

Gene looked at her and smiled. "Don't worry about it. I guess it's nothing." He grabbed her hand and they walked around talking about random things.

"Hey Gene."

"Yes?"

"Can I ask you something?"

"You just did."

Mai frowned. "Funny, I mean it."

"Go ahead."

"What do dead people do? I-I mean when they are stuck in this realm? What did you do?"

"I mostly spent a lot of time sitting, thinking and waiting."

"Sounds boring."

Gene let out a light laugh. "I suppose so, but I didn't mind. Not when I was waiting to see you. I know we don't always meet on pleasant terms and that when you're here it was never good but I still looked forward to seeing you."

Mai smiled brightly at him and gave him a hug. "You are so sweet." She looked up at him. "I'm still bored."

He laughed again. "Alright. I suppose we could do something."

"Like what?"

"Don't ask me you're the one who wants to do something."

Mai frowned at him and he laughed.

"You really are no help."

He laughed again. "Sorry Mai."

Back in the real world…

Lin and Takigawa had finally got Cullen. Monk was the one to tackle him down and Lin tied him up. They now sat in the living room of the house talking with the police about what he had been doing only making it more realistic. They told him he needed to be put in a special place or one where it is secure. The police were skeptical but agreed and they left with Cullen. Lin and Takigawa waited in the base room hoping John and Naru would arrive soon with Modoka.

An hour passed and they finally arrived. When the three entered base Lin felt a small surge of hope flare in him.

"Do you have it?" Lin asked.

Modoka nodded. "Where is she?"

"Her room I'll take you there."

He led her upstairs and waited outside the room for Modoka to finish when she did she looked up at him.

"Lin may I ask you something."

"Yes, what is it?"

"You seem to care for Mai a lot. I mean I've never seen you so worked up over anyone."

"What is your point?"

"Do you love her?" She looked directly into his eyes. "I know you do Lin so don't try and lie."

"Modoka I don't know what you're talking about. Mai is a co-worker."

"Don't play dumb Lin. I've seen you. I can tell how you feel for her." Modoka sighed. "Just don't hurt her. I don't want to see that happen to her."

"Modoka, she is merely a co-worker. I couldn't have any feelings for her. She's a kid."

In the dream realm…

Mai had continued to think of something to do until she felt this odd feeling inside her. She couldn't make out what it was either. She looked at Gene. "Gene, I feel funny."

"How so?"

"I don't know. I just have this odd feeling."

"Are you scared?"

"I don't know." She sighed then turned around and saw something. There was a flash of white light and Mai was opening her eyes.

Back in the real world…

She groaned as she sat up in her bed. "I have a huge headache." She rubbed her head. "How long was I out?" She then widened her eyes. "Oh crap Naru's going to kill me for sleeping on the job! I don't even remember dreaming either!" She got up out of bed and stretched. She headed to the door and heard voices.

"Do you love her?" A woman's voice spoke. "I know you do Lin so don't try and lie."

"Modoka I don't know what you're talking about. Mai is a co-worker."

"Modoka's here?" she thought with a smile on her face.

"Don't play dumb Lin. I've seen you. I can tell how you feel for her." she heard Modoka sigh. "Just don't hurt her. I don't want to see that happen to her."

"Modoka, she is merely a co-worker. I couldn't have any feelings for her. She's a kid."

Mai's smile faded as she heard Lin and how he spoke of what he thought of her. Mai sighed. "I had hoped we would slowly progress into something, but now I see he's never cared for me. Not only that but he never will." Mai sighed again and opened the door.

"Mai." Lin's voice held a tint of surprise.

"Mai, how are you?" Modoka asked.

"I'm fine Modoka." Mai smiled at her. "I just hope I don't get in trouble with Naru for sleeping on the job." Mai gave a nervous laugh. "He won't yell at me will he?"

Modoka smiled. "No, I don't think he will. Not this time."

Mai smiled brightly and began to walk to the base. She hurried as fast as she could. Once she arrived she was tackled by Monk in one of his bear hugs. "M-Monk! Get o-off me!"

"You're alive! Mai you had me worried!"

"You had us all worried." John spoke up with a smile on his face happy she was well.

"John I have no idea what you're talking about." After she said that Lin and Modoka entered the base. "I was just sleeping." She turned to Naru and gave a bow. "I'm sorry Naru. I didn't mean to sleep on the job again."

"Idiot."

"What?"

"I said you're an idiot. You need to be more careful. You really did almost die." Naru looked at her she was stunned. "Cullen poisoned your tea. Next time be careful."

"How was I supposed to know? It's not like I knew he was enchanting tea!" she yelled.

Naru gave her a look.

Mai's eyes widened when she said that about Cullen. "Wait, how did I know that? Maybe I did have a dream after all." She thought. "Heh, guess I had a dream."

"Well no need to worry he's locked away. We're just glad you're back. All of us." Bou-san said.

"Not everyone." She looked at everyone then to the ground. "I'm going to go clean up." She quickly left feeling uncomfortable in the room. As soon as she entered the room she leaned against the closed door and sighed. She glanced around her room and went to the bathroom and freshened up. Mai sat on her bed thinking. "I suppose I was hoping for too much. Like how I did with Naru. Maybe he's just not for me. I mean generally that's how it works anyways." She closed her eyes. "Oh, it was just a stupid crush anyways." Mai got up and opened her door. She ran into Youichi. "Oh Youichi. I'm sorry. I didn't see you."

"It's okay Mai. I was just checking on you. I haven't seen you around in a bit so I wanted to say hi." He smiled at her. "Are you heading to base?"

"Yes, though I think we're done with our case so we'll be leaving shortly." She returned his smile and they began to walk to base together.

"So how was the case?"

"I missed most of it."

"Oh yea that's right Cullen poisoned you."

"How did you know?"

"I was there when uncle was told."

"O-Oh." They arrived at base. Naru opened the door.

"Get your things we're leaving. Case is finished."

"O-Okay." Mai watched Naru walk by then turned to Youichi. "Well it looks like we're leaving sooner than I thought."

"That's okay. Mai after you grab your bag meet me at the front door."

"Kay." She hurried upstairs and gathered her things. She closed her suitcase and quickly headed downstairs to meet up with Youichi. Once she reached the door she smiled as she stepped onto the porch. "What is it you needed?" They began to walk to the van.

"It's about my uncle's winter ball. I know I just up and said it without your approval, but will you go to the ball with me?" He held a light tint of pink on his cheeks.

Mai glanced towards Lin and then looked to Youichi with a smile. "Yes I would love to go with you." She gave her suitcase to Lin.

He looked at her surprised. He hadn't expected her to say it like that. "G-Great. I'll see you then?"

"Yes." She smiled again and then pressed her lips to his cheek. "See you then Youichi-kun." She quickly got into the van and got herself situated.

Lin was finishing putting all the things in the van and was waiting on Mai. She and Youichi walked to him. He couldn't help but feel something in his stomach as he watched her smile with him. He took her suitcase when she handed it to him. As he listened to the conversation he couldn't help but feel that feeling become stronger. He didn't want Mai with that boy. His heart froze when he saw her give him a kiss. Well it wasn't an actual kiss but still it bothered him.

"I was not expecting that." The boy said before her left.

Lin let out a low growl and entered the van. He drove back to SPR and he and Mai ended up putting all the equipment away. Naru had left early saying he was tired.

"Well that's everything Lin-san." Mai said as she placed the last box of the equipment in the storage shed. "See you tomorrow." She went inside and grabbed her bag then headed home.

One week later…

Lin had been contemplating on whether or not he should tell her. He had no idea why he told Modoka differently while on the case. He frowned for the umpteenth time frustrated he couldn't concentrate. At the end of the day when it was time for her to leave he decided maybe then would be right. Time passed quicker than he expected and she was already asking Naru if he needed anything before she went home. When she knocked on his door he felt a bit funny but kept his calm and told her to enter.

"Hey Lin-san. I'm leaving did you need anything before I go?"

"No I don't, thank you for asking."

"No worries. Well I'll see you tomorrow." She smiled at him and began to turn.

"It's now or never." He decided. "T-Mai. Wait one moment." She turned around.

"Something you need Lin?"

"I'll walk you home."

"Oh, no. I mean you don't have to. I don't want to trouble you or anything."

"Don't worry about it. I wouldn't suggest it if I didn't want to." He closed his laptop after shutting it down. He gathered his things and grabbed his coat. They left the office together walking to her place quietly.

"Thank you Lin. For walking me home." Mai said softly. She was busy fidgeting and being nervous around him to realize he was busy thinking of how to tell her how he feel.

"You're welcome." He replied a few moments later.

The rest of the walk was silent. Neither could say anything to each other. As soon as they arrived at her apartment Lin decided to speak.

"Mai we need to talk."

Mai stood frozen a second. She nodded and opened her door letting him in. After closing her door and taking his coat she went into the kitchen to make tea. A few minutes later she was sitting by Lin in full panic mode.

"I'm not getting fired am I? Is that why Lin wanted to walk me home? I really don't want to get fired. What if they're leaving again? Returning to England to never return again and he's telling me before so I have time to look for a new job?" Her mind was racing with thoughts of them leaving or her being fired.

"Mai." Lin said softly.

She looked up at him her eyes held fear. "Y-Yes?"

"I want to ask you something."

"O-Okay."

"How." He paused wondering if that was the right question he should ask. "How do you feel about me?"

"Huh?" She looked at him totally surprised.

"How do you feel about me?"

"I like you a lot Lin. You're a great co-worker." She smiled at him.

"I don't mean as a co-worker." He glanced at her. "I mean as a man."

Mai looked at him clenching her jaw a bit to prevent it from falling. "What do you mean? A-Are you asking me if I'm...I'm" She glanced away from him keeping her eyes on her coffee table.

"If you are interested in me."

Mai swallowed not sure what to say. Her mind and heart were now battling. She knew she cared for him and liked him a lot but what he had said kept echoing through her head and she wanted to get him back for it. Let him know she knows what he thinks of her. So far her mind was winning. Mai looked at him and shrugged.

"What's it matter? I mean we're co-workers. It's not like you could ever have feelings for me." She picked up her cup and took a sip. "Besides I'm a kid." She took another sip waiting for him to say something. She felt satisfied with her answer. "Why he's asking me this I don't know. What's it matter to him how I feel about him. Besides he's the one who said he couldn't be interested."

Lin frowned and then sighed knowing now she had heard him in the hall with Modoka. "It matters to me. I actually care for you in more ways than one." He turned to her. "And you're not a kid. You're a beautiful young woman who has stolen my heart."

Mai looked at him stunned. "I – But – you." She frowned. "You said that stuff and you know."

"I know what I said." He set his cup down and then set hers down. "I really am not too fond of people being in my business."

"I see." Mai was starting to get more nervous. She decided to take the cups into the kitchen to calm herself down. "I'll be back." She picked up the cups and went to the kitchen. She emptied out the cups and stuck them in the sink. "Why is he doing this? I'm so confused." She looked at the cups. "How do I know he truly cares for me?" Her voice was low so Lin couldn't hear her. What she didn't know was Lin was standing behind her. When she turned she was ready to jump out of her skin. "L-Lin you scared me." She looked up at him.

He leaned down towards her. "This is how you know I truly care." He then grabbed her by the chin and captured her lips with his. He pressed them firmly yet gently against hers. He slid his tongue gently across her lips in askance and she parted her lips allowing his tongue to enter her mouth. As he kissed her Mai could feel her body heat up in response. She had this sudden urge to press into him and wrap her arms around him and press him to her. Before she could realize it she had done so. Lin's hands were on her waist he was pressing her close. Not long after the kiss began did they need to break apart. Both were panting out of breath. Mai began to blush.

"Mai." Lin whispered. She looked up at him her blush increasing. "I love you." He pressed his lips to hers in a quick chaste kiss.

"I love you Lin."

"Koujo, if you don't mind." His voice was soft and velvety it sent shivers up and down Mai.

"Koujo." She looked into his eyes. His dark mysterious eyes that had always captured her. He leaned in and pressed his lips to hers again. They continued kissing passionately breaking apart moments later to breath. Mai's eyes widened. "Youichi."

Lin's eyes narrowed. "Now is not the time to be thinking of him."

Mai looked at him surprised at his angered voice. "What? No, I just meant that I told him that I'd go to his uncle's winter ball with him." She sighed at the look on Lin's face. "Honestly Koujo, no need to be jealous."

"I'm not jealous."

"I beg to differ." Mai pulled herself away from the counter and headed to the living room.

"Why did you agree to go with him anyways?"

"Because of what I heard. I thought that I wouldn't have a chance with you." Mai looked away. Lin wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tight.

"I'm sorry I mislead you." He began to give her butterfly kisses along her neck. "I love you Mai." He whispered softly. He continued to kiss her neck and then kissed the area where her neck and shoulder met. He let his tongue slide along it and gently grazed his teeth there too.

"N-N, Koujo." She half moaned. He began to suck and nip on her neck. "S-Stop." He did as told.

"Something wrong?"

"No, nothing's wrong."She turned around and looked at him.

"Call him."

"Huh?"

"Tell Youichi that you're going to go with someone else." He stated simply.

Mai blushed and smiled at him. He returned the smile and pressed his lips to hers in a chaste kiss.