JADE: So, after I posted this chapter it was brought to my attention that I had some things wrong about Naru and Gene's communication. Thanks seiyuurabu for clearing things up! The corrections are below, feel free to re-read if you want to…

*****************************************************************************************************************************************************

Mai was very confused right now. The last thing she remembered is hearing Masako say she didn't sense anything, and then the world went fuzzy, and eventually faded to black. She looked around the void she was in, noticing all the white orbs floating around her. She quickly concluded that she was in the astral realm.

"Mai," a gentle voice called to her. She turned and smiled, then ran to hug the tall, black haired double of her boss.

"Gene! I'm so happy to see you!" she hugged him tightly as he smiled and hugged her back.

"Me too, Mai." He looked down at her and she blushed at his gaze. His eyes held a kindness and happiness she seemed to never notice before.

"What happened to me? I remember being at base, and then suddenly I was here," she voiced her concerns to her spirit guide, hoping he could give her answers. He smiled, but it was sad.

"I can't tell you everything now, but I can show you something important. But first," he glanced behind her, causing her to turn around, and she gasped, covering her mouth with her hands, her eyes as wide as saucers.

"N-Naru? How?" she whispered. She turned back to Gene and he smiled that gentle, knowing smile at her again.

"It seems your powers are growing, Mai. You brought him with you," he replied softly. She gave him a shocked look, scratching her head.

"I did what? But how? He wasn't even near me when I blacked out!" she exclaimed as her boss's form lay gently down, floating in the nothingness they were in. The two walked over to him, and Mai bent over his still form, checking to see that he was okay.

"He's fine, Mai, don't worry. He should wake up any moment now." Gene reached out and touched his twin's arm, and as if on cue, Naru's eyes snapped open and he sat up, grabbing his head. He immediately realized he wasn't alone and stood, on alert.

"Hello, Oliver," Gene greeted him, smiling wildly. Mai looked up at her guide, and a huge smile plastered her face as well. She couldn't help it, that was the effect Gene and Naru, despite his rigid personality, often had on her. She looked back to her boss, who was speechless for once. His face held a look of wonder and question. Mai giggled, never having seen him look so emotional, except for the couple of rare times he'd slipped in front of her. This was something she wanted to remember.

"Gene? I don't understand. You should have passed on," Naru replied, not bothering to hide the surprise in his voice. He stepped closer to his brother, ignoring Mai, and the girl stepped back to allow them access to each other. She smiled as Gene hugged his twin and then put him in a head lock, ruffling his hair.

"You mean you guys haven't been able to communicate like this before?" she asked innocently. Her voice grabbed Naru's attention and he wriggled out of Gene's grasp, controlling his surprised face for a few moments to answer her.

"No, never. In fact, I've only ever been able to see him through reflective surfaces, should I be near one, and should he be able to appear. And as for talking, that also only happens when I see him. " Naru answered in his matter-of-fact tone, which irritated Mai a bit, but she didn't care too much.

Naru turned to his brother, confusion once again on his face. "What is going on?"

Gene smiled and nodded towards Mai, who was blushing. "She brought you here. Her powers have increased once again it seems, though I am surprised she made to this point so soon."

"W-what do you mean so soon? You knew about this?" Mai's jaw dropped for a moment, and then she smacked her forehead and made a frustrated grunt. "Of course you did, you always do! Just like your brother, mister know-it-all over there," she smiled wryly and shook her head.

Naru smirked a little at her statement. "Mai did this?" he asked in wonder, staring at the brunette thoughtfully. "Another surprise, huh, like your psychokenesis early today, Mai?" he asked. She avoided his somewhat angered gaze and pretended to look around her.

"About that," she began, still avoiding him. He stalked up to her and turned her so that she had to face him.

"Why didn't you tell me you could do that? Do you have any idea-" but he was cut off by Gene.

"She does, Noll. I helped her develop the skills, and she knows full well the consequences if she gets out of hand, though she isn't in danger of death, like you. Her body is capable of handling the power more." Suddenly his face turned serious as he looked over Naru's shoulder and down at her. "But that doesn't excuse what happened, right, Mai?" his brow went up, his lips rigid into a line, and his gaze hardened. She blushed and frowned. She knew that look on Gene well. He always gave her that look when he disapproved of her actions.

"Look, it wasn't entirely my fault, Gene! So before you," she glared at him, and then turned her attention to her boss, "or Naru give me a lecture, remember that I am still new at this stuff, so I tend to accidently lose my cool sometimes!" She turned away. "It wouldn't have even happened if I hadn't seen that, that little tramp! If she hadn't provoked me, hadn't said what she did… " Mai crossed her arms and began stalking back and forth. She stopped when Gene's hand gently grabbed her arm. He spun her around and hugged her, understanding perfectly well what was going on in her head.

Naru watched them and felt a pang of jealousy, though he hated admitting it to himself. He watched with curiosity at the scene before him, briefly wondering what life would have been like if Gene was alive and with them. He stopped though, not wanting to know, sure that Mai and Gene would have been together, if that had been the case. It's why he refused her, after all.

"She was so mean, Gene! That little…she had the nerve to insult me about my parents! And she knew my family and knew what had happened and everything! Why are people so damn cruel?" Mai huffed and fell to her knees, covering her face with her hands. Naru knew she was crying and didn't know what to do. Gene glared at him and motioned him over to them. Naru did as he was directed, not knowing what his brother was thinking. They both took seats beside Mai, Naru to her left and Gene to her right.

"Mai, look at me," Gene commanded softly, gently Naru noticed. The pang returned briefly, before he put a hand on her shoulder and she glanced up at him. His heart stung as he saw the tears. Then she looked at Gene, who smiled at her, and she slowly smiled too.

"I know, I shouldn't be doing this now." The young woman wiped her tears away and stood, taking in a breath to steady herself. She grabbed Naru and Gene's hands and began to walk forward. I will deal with it later, she promised herself quietly. Naru was slightly awed by the strength she seemed to hold, being able to push aside her little tiff in order to focus on the problem at hand.

"Mai," Naru started, wanting to ask what was happening, but Gene's warning glare made him shut up immediately. He was suddenly reminded of how things used to be between him and his brother. How easy he felt around him, how comfortable and happy things were. He smiled, and only Gene caught it. He looked to his assistant, following with them, unsure of why he was still there, but for the moment, he was happy. He got to be near his brother in a physical way again, after all.

"Okay Mai, I want you to stop for a moment," Gene directed, and she did, immediately. Naru stared in amazement at his brother, wondering how in the world he could get Mai to listen so easily when he was constantly arguing with her about things, and getting bombarded with questions all the time. But he already knew the answer. It was the same reason that he could always listen to his brother as well, after all. Gene always held a certain finesse, a certain air of command and leadership about him, which allowed him to often exert control over people and situations easily.

Mai closed her eyes as Naru and Gene stood beside her, breathing deeply.

"Now Mai, reach out with your mind, feel your surroundings. When you feel that small tug, go there," Gene instructed the girl. Mai did as she was told, waiting for that familiar pull, and then, there it was. After a few moments she opened her eyes. Suddenly everything around them dissolved until they were standing in a room with white walls and a huge window. The three looked around, and Gene tugged Mai forward, pulling her in front of him, directing her towards the things she needed to see. She still held Naru's hand, and though he noticed, he decided to let it be. He didn't want to interrupt this process, and quite frankly, he wanted to avoid a confrontation right now.

"Are we seeing her vision?" he asked. Gene looked at him and nodded, a frown on his face. He looked at Mai, making Naru look as well. The girl was starting at a bed toward the back of the room. In the bed was a man, no more than twenty five, with thick wavy brown hair, and he looked like he was sleeping. He had several machines hooked up to him. From what Naru could see, they were IVs and a heart monitor. Next to the bed was a woman, also no more than twenty five, with long and beautiful chestnut hair and eyes to match. She held a baby in her arms, all wrapped in a blanket.

"Oh my god," Mai whispered, and looked up at Gene, hurt in her eyes. "Why did you direct me here, of all places? Why do I have to see this?" she asked, her voice shaking, eyes wide. Gene's face held a look of apology on it as he answered.

"I don't know Mai. I only know that you need to see these things, and that I am supposed to help you get there. Please, watch." He nodded back at the couple, but she turned away, fists balled at her side. Naru was annoyed to say the least. He had no idea what was happening, and he hated it. He needed to know what was bothering Mai so badly, so he asked.

"Who are they, Mai?" The girl looked up at him, and this time, when she spoke, he could tell she was angry.

"My parents. And before you ask, yes, the baby is me." She turned to Gene. "Are you sure we're supposed to be here? Am I really going to have to watch this?"

"I'm afraid so. But we're here for you Mai, so please, don't get upset. You aren't alone." He stretched a hand out to comfort her, but she yanked away, making him frown. He watched her turn around and look, and then he caught his brother's quizzical gaze. He knew his brother was wondering himself why she had to see this, and what was going on, but all Gene could do was stay there and watch with them. He wasn't allowed to explain things, that wasn't his job with visions. Directing her powers, yes, that he could discuss all he wanted. But not about these things. It was forbidden.

The three of them watched as a doctor entered and checked his patient. He turned to speak to the woman beside the bed.

"Mrs. Taniyama, it appears nothing has changed. It has been some time since the accident, and I know this must be hard on you, but you will need to make a decision soon. We can't keep him here forever, and I don't believe he is going to wake up anytime soon either." The doctor placed a hand on her shoulder in an attempt to comfort her, but she didn't look up. "You have until tomorrow. My apologies, but I am just doing my job," he said, before he walked away again.

Naru and Gene looked at Mai, who was wide-eyed, and they instantly new that this was something she was never told before.

"Mom, you had to…Oh god…" the girl sank to the floor as tears began to form. She watched as her mother sighed in defeat, and the tears began to spill down her face. She looked at the baby in her arms and frowned, then looked at her husband.

"What do I do? I know that it wasn't the accident that did this, but I don't know how to help you! I wish I could talk to you so you could tell me what to do! I can't do this alone!" The woman's pleas were quiet, but Mai, Naru, and Gene heard them clear as day. Mai gasped and looked up from her hands, puzzled by what her mother had said.

"What does she mean it wasn't an accident? I don't understand! You never told me that mom!" the girl cried out in anger and despair. She stood suddenly and turned on Gene. "What the hell does she mean, Gene? And don't give me that crap about 'I can't tell you!' You have to! It's my right to know!" The petite girl was advancing on him, backing him into the corner. He just smirked sadly at her and shook his head.

"You know how this works, Mai. I can't tell you," he replied, shame evident in his voice. "By the way, when did you learn to cuss?" he added in an attempt at humor. Mai fumed.

"Oh great, act like him now, why don't you! That's just what I need!" she screamed as she pointed to Naru, whose brow went up in mild amusement. He tried not to laugh as Gene appeared offended by her words. She turned and grabbed Naru's hand, making him freeze and his eyes widen.

"You know what Gene, until you feel like being nice and cooperating again, I don't want to see you, got it?"

"Mai, you know you and I don't have a choice," his voice was quiet. Naru watched as Mai sighed in defeat, shoulders slumped, and turned, recognizing the guilty look she had.

"I know, I'm sorry. I just…"She ran her free hand through her hair, then let go of Naru's hand and walked over to Gene. She looked up at him, hugged him and smiled.

"I'm sorry. I had no right. Forgive me?" He laughed and ruffled her hair.

"Of course, always. You wouldn't be Mai if you didn't get so angry, no matter who it was who received the brunt of that anger!" He looked at Naru and smirked when he saw the jealousy in his eyes. Naru caught this and quickly placed his stoic mask on, to which Gene laughed. Mai, oblivious to the silent exchange between them, raised her brow in confusion.

"Mai, you two should go. But I will see you again, soon." Gene looked at them both before he disappeared, along with the entire hospital scene. It left Naru and Mai back in the void. Mai sighed in frustration and walked up to him, grabbing his hands in hers. He looked down at her, still puzzled by this entire experience. She smiled at him and giggled.

"I suppose I will tell you about how all of this works, someday," she said. "You know, sometimes you two are too much alike. He can be just as cryptic as you, if not worse. Now," she gazed at him and felt a blush creep up her face, "we need to get back. Ready?"

"What do I do?" Naru asked, feeling silly for the first time in his life because he didn't know what to do AND he was asking Mai, his clutzy, shy, averagely smart assistant for directions. He swore the world must be ending.

"Close your eyes and feel for the pull at the back of your head, and then follow it. And if that doesn't work, just feel me out and follow me," she replied. He nodded before they both closed their eyes, and then blackness came again…

****************************************************************************************************************************************************

JADE: Clear enough for you? If not, it will be explained later! And feel free to ask questions!