After the strange, unsolved case at Mai's old home, things began to return to normal for SPR. Well, as normal as things get when you are forced to suddenly live with your boss, Mai thought grumpily as she made Naru tea for the hundredth time that day. I swear that is all he hired me for sometimes!

Mai set the three cups of steaming tea on a tray and waltzed out of the kitchen and toward Lin's office, stopping briefly to place a cup down on her own desk. She knocked lightly and entered, knowing he wouldn't answer when she heard the keys being hit repeatedly. She silently set a cup down for him and left, not a word spoken between them. Mai didn't mind though, she was used to it when Lin was "in the zone," as she often referred his constant typing as.

She approached Naru's door more hesitantly, not particularly wanting to enter. Normally she wouldn't care, but they got into it that afternoon when she came to work, him upset at her for making him two minutes late for work this morning.

It isn't my fault that I couldn't find my history text! I just moved, he should give me a little leeway at least! She frowned as she knocked, waiting for a sign to enter. When she heard a soft "Come in," she braced herself for their encounter and entered, careful not to look at him.

She walked to his desk and set the cup down, then turned swiftly to walk out, not noticing that he was staring at her the entire time she was there.

"Mai, wait a moment," he said. She stopped, but didn't turn around. She heard a sigh and then his chair move, making her turn out of curiosity. He was walking to her, frown on his face, stopping in front of her.

"I want to apologize for what happened earlier," he began, blues eyes boring into her now wide brown ones. She just stared at him in awe, which made him smirk a little. "It was not your fault for us both being late, and it wasn't a significant amount either," he continued. She gaped at him and stumbled back a bit, causing his smirk to leave him. His perfect brows knitted together in confusion.

"Naru, you just apologized? And you're being nice?" she said in awe. His expression turned to one of anger as he whipped around and headed for his desk.

"Believe it or not Mai, even someone like me has feelings," he bit out as he grabbed the file he was reading and sat back down. At this Mai's eyes went wide and she suddenly felt bad.

'Way to go Mai! That's how you rope him in!' Gene's sarcastic voice said in her mind. She frowned and stepped toward Naru's desk slowly, trying to find the right words to say.

"I-I'm sorry, Naru. I shouldn't have said that," she whispered, looking at her feet. "It was not nice of me to say. I know you have feelings, and I realized a long time ago that you can be hurt just as easily as anyone." Naru looked up in slight shock and took in his assistant's appearance.

She looked so guilty, and sad, he thought. I wonder why she looks sad?

'I could tell you, brother, but I'm not sure you want to hear it,' Gene replied. Silence ensued, and when no one said anything else, Mai simply turned on her heel and left, still feeling guilty.

Naru glared at the space in front of him, his mind going over a million different ways he could have handled that, instead of sitting there like an idiot and not doing or saying anything.

'Well?' Gene asked.

'Well what?'

'Do you want to know what she was thinking?' he said. Naru's eyes narrowed.

'No, I saw for myself just fine, thank you,' he bit out. He wasn't mad at his brother though, he was mad at himself. 'Don't you think you could teach her how to block us? She's so easy to read that I catch glimpses without even trying. Sometimes we just have to be near each other and I'll get a full reading.'

'Working on it brother, working on it.'

Mai had finished the rest of her filing and was feeling very tired today. And she knew why. Shouldn't have been up practicing my PK and other powers so late! Naru would kill me if he knew! Especially if he knew it was Gene teaching me…

"I already know Mai, as does Lin," her boss's voice rang out next to her, making her jump, eyes wide and frantic. Oh great, good going dummy!

"N-Naru, I-"

"Not now Mai. The three of us will discuss this little…development…tomorrow, along with everyone else. And we will also discuss the full extent of your powers, training and consequences of using them." His tone held finality in it that made Mai cringe. She knew it meant interrogation, testing, and a load of lecturing, from everyone. She sighed and nodded in understanding.

Poor Gene will probably get an earful from Naru, since he's the only one other than me who knows all about my powers. Maybe I should have told them all sooner instead of hiding it after all…She frowned and sighed, slumping her shoulders in defeat. Too late for regrets now!

"Have you finished your filing?" he asked, standing over her desk. She nodded again and sighed.

"Good. You may head home if you like, or remain here and wait for me to be finished. It's up to you," he said. She thought for a moment and then decided.

"I'd like to stay here, if you don't mind. I can work on homework or do more filing or something," she said. It's better than being home alone, now that I'm getting used to another person around. She blushed at the thought and smirked a bit.

Naru, having caught that little remark, grinned and stood, handing her a piece of paper and some money. She stared at him in shock and question, but he ignored the look that said, "Did you just hear me again?"

"I was hoping you'd say that. Take this and go shopping for the supplies on the list. Then when you are done I want you to pick up some dinner for us. Lin is heading home so don't worry about him," he added when he saw her mouth open. She simply closed it and nodded.

"I will be here until ten o'clock. There's a few more case files I wish to review and respond to. You may do as you like when you return." And with that, he waltzed back into his office. Mai sighed and grabbed her coat and phone, then left the office to do as he asked.

Mai sighed as she put the last of the office supplies away. Figures he made me do all the work while he sits in his office reading! She sighed as she put the kettle on for tea. Then she walked to the small dining table and started unpacking their food. When tea was done and the food was laid out properly, she called for Naru to come and eat. She waited until he arrived, sitting across from her, before digging in.

They ate in silence, Mai a bit uncomfortable about earlier that day, still feeling guilty. He didn't acknowledge my apology at all. I should try again.

"Naru, I-" she began.

"I know Mai. Me too. Let's just call a truce okay?" he said, not once bothering to look at her. She simply smiled softly and nodded.

"O-okay, sure." Her voice was soft. She felt her cheeks flush a bit and looked shyly away. She was about to say something when the lights flickered. The temperature in the room started dropping, making both teens stop eating and stand up abruptly.

"Mai, don't move," Naru whispered as he slid in front of her. She nodded and gripped his sleeve, both knowing what is going to happen.

"I don't understand, Naru. Why here?" she whispered, looking around the room as the lights flickered again. It seemed strange for a ghost to appear at the office, considering it never had happened before.

She couldn't see anything yet, but she felt it, and it felt angry. Her grip tightened on his arm and she stepped closer to him, almost right up against him. He stood protectively in front of her, also looking around, and also glancing back at her occasionally to make sure she was okay.

"N-Naru…" Mai's voice quivered as she took in a dark form in the doorway, straight across from where they sat. It had glowing red eyes and cackled as Mai spoke. She felt the air get a little heavy just then, and she knew it was Naru gathering his PK energy.

"Mai, I want you to stay where you are. It may be difficult, but please, do not move, or talk, okay?" His voice was low, eyes never leaving the figure before them.

"Naru, you can't! You'll get hurt!" she whispered fiercely, yanking on both his left arm and the back of his shirt hard. He stumbled back a bit and huffed.

"I can and I will. You will call for an ambulance as soon as it's over, alright?" His voice was laced with confidence and determination.

"How sweet. Willing to sacrifice yourself for your friend." The demon glided forward effortlessly, laughing a bit. "It will do nothing to save her. She is already mine. I will have her soul!" It continued to move forward, emitting the dark aura everywhere. The lights went out in the kitchen, an eerie glow cast across the room from a street lamp outside.

"Like hell you will," Naru muttered, but Mai caught it. Her eyes went wide as she realized just how far Naru would push things. Her eyes narrowed.

I will not allow you to die for me, Oliver Davis! She spat at him telepathically. When he didn't acknowledge her or move, she growled a bit. 'Gene, help me help him!' She pleaded silently.

'Just do what I've taught you and it will all be alright' he answered. Mai blanched and froze.

'I-I can't do it alone! I need you! We need you Gene!' she pleaded again.

'You can do this Mai! It's time to take matters into your own hands.' And with that, she felt his presence disappear. Mai was shaking, so she closed her eyes, trying to calm herself by focusing her powers. She was so focused that she didn't even notice Naru had backed them up until she was pressed to the wall, him in front of her like a shield. He had one arm out and the other embracing it's wrist, also focusing his powers.

Mai felt the familiar link she had with Naru. It was so similar to Gene's, only more resistant to her aura as she tried to meld herself to him, in order to become his anchor. Just as Gene told her to do, she was visualizing her energy flowing from her body to his through her hands as she kept them on his back.

She jerked her eyes open as she felt herself being repelled from him, the air thick and heavy. And then the ringing began as items lifted off of the counters and table.

"Try what you will, but Mai is mine, and no one will stop me from claiming her soul." The demon hissed and continued forward. It seemed to have a hard time, but it was still coming.

Mai grunted and fought the urge to cover her ears. Instead she closed her eyes and focused her energy again, trying to find her connection to Naru. When she had it she wrapped her arms around his waist and held on tight, willing herself past his barriers, both the physical from his power and mentally.

Come on Naru, let me in! I need to get through! She felt a little of himself give in, pulling at her energy. Using that small connection, she forced her energy/aura into him, establishing a full connection, as Gene would call it. Their auras/energies swirled together as one. Mai could feel every fiber of him react to her, pulling on her strength, both physically and mentally.

This went on for several moments as the pair stood together. Mai's arms were secured tightly around Naru's waist, her left cheek smashed into his back as she concentrated, eyes closed. Naru's eyes were wide open, however. When he felt Mai's energy meld with his, he almost wanted to sigh in relief and happiness.

It feels so much like Gene, but Mai's is different at the same time. It's like she too, was made to help me, but there's more to it…he shook his head to get rid of the thoughts as the demon lashed out at him. Its talons got close, but did not penetrate the wave of energy coursing out from him as he continued to focus his PK in his hand.

"Give up, boy, and I will spare you. Just give me the girl," it said as it tried again. This time Naru felt its nails just barely graze his cheek.

"Not going to happen," Naru grit out. And then he let his energy go and watched as it set the demon on fire.

"NO!" it wailed, flaying this way and that, rage radiating off of it. Naru lowered his arm and smirked, satisfied at what was before him. He didn't move, and neither did Mai, until the dark form of the demon disappeared in the blink of an eye, leaving behind a smell of burnt flesh and clothes.

"Mai, you can let go now," Naru whispered, prying her arms off of him. The tiny brunette was shaking. Her eyes popped open and she covered her mouth and nose to block the smell. Naru saw this and immediately opened the window to the left of them in order to let the smell out. When he turned back around he noticed Mai was still standing against the wall, arms wrapped around her, shaking.

"Mai?" he said, hoping to get a reaction. She didn't even turn to look at him, so he stood in front of her. "Mai," he said more forcefully. Still nothing. So, hesitantly, he reached out and placed a hand under her chin, forcing her to look up.

Their eyes connected and he could see tears in them. She blinked, and then one sob came out, and another, and then another. Before long, she had lunged into Naru, sobbing and hugging him tightly as she buried her face in his chest. Flabergasted by her reaction, he simply stood there, wrapping one arm around her and stroking her hair gently. His eyes were wide with confusion. He couldn't understand why she was sobbing so much, when it was clear that the thing that had been after her, that had been hunting her family, was now dead…

JADE: HOLA! KONNICHIWA! So, how'd you like my awesome update?

NARU: I thought it was okay.

JADE: W-What? *sticks finger in ear to effectively clear it out* Come again? I must have misheard you.

NARU: *glares* I don't repeat myself. Ask Mai.

MAI: *nods enthusiastically* He really doesn't! But way to go Jade! Love it! So does this mean I'm safe now?

JADE: I'm not telling! I mean, you are a danger magnet after all!

MAI: *pouts* AM NOT!

NARU: * eye roll* Yes you are Mai. Everything about you screams "Take advantage of me, I'm helpless!"

JADE: Uh, that was a little dirty, wasn't it Naru?

NARU: *shrugs and smirks*

JADE: O.O I think the world is ending! Quick, get me some cookie dough ice cream! I wanna enjoy my last few moments in life!

NARU: Really Jade? Going down that route are we? How about you stop being IMMATURE and do what you came here to do.

JADE: *glares* Shut up narcissistic ass! It's my story and I'll say and do whatever I want! *sticks out tongue*

MAI: Really you guys? GROW UP! *turns to readers* Jade would like to thank everyone again for reviewing and staying tuned! If she's lucky enough, she will be able to have the next chapter up in the next day or two!

JADE: Yea, sorry about the lack of updating, but I was playing single mommy for a few days so didn't get the chance to write. PLEASE REVIEW! Tell me what you think! And be sure to stay tuned cuz this is far from over!