Disclaimer: We don't own Ghost Hunt!

~Jealousy in the Office~

Chapter 21

Mai snapped her gaze back on to Naru at the sound of exorcism. Naru raised a brow at the look on her face.

"Is there a problem?" He asked. Mai's gaze went off to the side.

"Isn't there any other way, Naru?" She asked quietly. He narrowed his eyes at her.

"Another way? This spirit tried to kill you, Mai."

The brunette flinched a bit. "I-I know, but...still she shouldn't..."

Naru was getting irritated "She shouldn't what, Mai?" He demanded.

"No matter what she's done, she still shouldn't be exorcised! Can't Masako try to speak with her or something?" She said, finally finding the courage to look at her boyfriend. He looked at her, contemplating the risks, before he trained his eyes on hers.

"What's this 'or something'?" He asked. Mai's eyes widened slightly, a bit taken aback.

"Wh-what?" She asked.

"Just now when you were talking you said 'or something.' What's this or something?" He eyed her suspiciously. Mai smiled, albeit nervous.

"I was just saying it..." Mai waved her hand. "You know, if anyone else had an idea." The look on Naru's face clearly said he knew she thought otherwise. Just please don't ask me about what Takumi and I were talking about. Mai mentally begged. Please don't—

"Does this have anything to do with what he wanted?" Naru asked.

"What?" Mai asked trying to hide how nervous she became. "Of course not...why would you think that?"

Naru eyed her suspiciously. "Because you've been acting weird ever since you got back." He deadpanned. The brunette swallowed and looked down.

"I-I am not." She denied. Ayako eyed her, now suspicious also.

"What were you two talking about then?" She asked. Mai's head whipped around to look at Ayako.

"Just some stuff..."

Monk walked towards Mai. When he was standing beside her, he leaned down to whisper in her ear. "Is that really something you should say in front of your boyfriend?" He asked mostly teasing. Her eyes widened and her face flushed.

"What?" She hissed.

"I'm just saying." The monk whispered. She shot him a half glare.

"Well don't!" She huffed.

"The exorcism will go on, so John, please prepare for it." Naru continued to say. Turning to him Mai's eyes were wide.

"Naru, please! Can't you just—" But unfortunately she was interrupted. She just wished he wouldn't consider the exorcism...that way she wouldn't have to re-think Takumi's not-so-well-thought-out plan. If only he had thought it through better, then maybe she wouldn't be in this position. It was nerve-wracking. Should she ask him? Should she leave it be? She didn't know anymore.

Naru turned his dark gaze back to Mai, leaning closer to her.

"I'm not giving this spirit another chance to hurt you, Mai." He whispered lowly. Her eyes widened at his words. There was no way she could convince him now and even if she could, she's not sure she'd want to. But she couldn't just completely disregard Takumi on this. It was his mother they're dealing with. Gulping she gathered her thoughts. She couldn't talk to Naru about it in this state. Although it was kind of hard to think at the moment—he was too close for her to think properly! Trying to be discreet, she shuffled her body back as best she could. It was kinda hard since she was sitting on the couch though.

Out of the corner of his eyes, Naru noticed Mai moving back slightly. Narrowing his eyes, he frowned a bit. Why was she doing that?

"Mai." He began sternly, but quietly. "Tell me what happened."

The brunette sighed. "He asked me to help him." She whispered, unable to continue lying. Naru's eyes narrowed further.

"Help him with what?" He demanded. Flinching back she gulped.

"S-So that he can avoid the exorcism of his mother."

Getting up from his kneeling position, Naru sat beside Mai on the couch. "How?"

Mai inwardly cringed, knowing he would be most upset about this. "He...he wanted m-me to draw his mother out so he could speak to her..."

Naru's eyes flashed dangerously. "He wanted you to what?" He hissed. Mai closed her eyes and flinched, though it was barely noticable, at his tone. "Tell me you said no."

"I-I...um, well—you see, I didn't exactly—"

"You said yes?!" Ayako shrieked.

"W-well, no... I didn't say that either..."

Naru glared at her. "Then what did you say exactly?"

"I-I said I'd t-think about it..." Mai admitted, wincing a bit. That was all he needed to hear. He felt his anger flare at the discovery, and he wasn't sure who he was more angry at. Mai or that idiot Takumi. "Naru, please don't get mad!" Mai begged, seeing the look on his face. Looking at her face he sighed and tried to calm down. He pinched the bridge of his nose before facing her.

"Mai, why would do even consider thinking about it? You shouldn't put yourself in danger." He said quietly. She looked away ashamed.

"I-I know, but I can't help but feel sorry for him..." She trailed off silently.

"Sorry of him?" Naru secretly felt anger at the thought. What was there to feel sorry for him about? Takumi's trying to put his girlfriend in danger!

The brunette nodded her head slightly in confirmation. "He never... He just doesn't want to see his mother be exorcised...he didn't even know she was dead, Naru!" Mai exclaimed, sympathy flashing in her eyes. Naru couldn't help but glare at the door.

"That isn't my problem, Mai. Our job is to come in and get rid of the spirit. That is all." He spoke with finality. Mai bit her lip.

"Since you now know about it...what if we try it at least? I mean Monk and John will be there if anything goes wrong! Everyone else too!" Mai tried to convince him. Even if what Naru said was true, wasn't it also their job to make their clients happy...? Maybe?

"This isn't up for discussion. There will be no trying and you aren't going to put yourself in the middle of danger!"

Mai jumped slightly at his tone of voice before looking down at her lap. Did she really expect him to agree to it anyways? It's not like he understood. Mai mentally sighed. Why does it feel like she already made her mind up on the matter—no matter what Naru says? She knows she shouldn't. It was dangerous and Naru had told her she couldn't and yet... For some reason she felt like she had to. Maybe it was because she never got to say goodbye to her mother either... At least she had the chance to spend time with hers during her life. Takumi didn't. And now he never will.

Rubbing her eyes Mai sighed. She felt so drained right now. She was tired and any energy she previously had was long since gone. Was it the spirit messing with her emotions again perhaps? She wasn't sure anymore. Everything was becoming a single blur. Nothing made real sense. The throbbing pain that started back in her wrist wasn't helping much either. Silently she let her head fall into her hands. What was she going to do now? How could she reach Takumi again? Naru would no doubt have her on lockdown—especially now. Why was everything turning out this way? Suddenly she felt someone ruffle her hair. She looked up in surprise to see Monk.

"It'll be fine, kiddo." He stated. Mai managed a small smile. Sure, everything is fine at the moment...but what about later? When she possibly goes along with Takumi's plan? She'd be lying if she thought she wasn't worried. She was terrified if something went wrong. It was bad enough that she didn't know whether or not Naru'd forgive her for this. She knew he was already worried about her even being here, and then disobeying his direct orders to try to keep her safe was just... Well, she shouldn't think about it anymore. It was just going to wind her up. She just knew that whatever it was that she's going to do had to be done before Naru carried on with the exorcism. Looking around she saw that Naru was discussing how it would work with John. I need to know when they're going to do it... She thought, mentally biting her lip. Listening into their conversation more carefully, she tried to formulate a plan.

"Perhaps it would be better if I did it tonight, yeah?" John asked. Naru nodded thoughtfully.

"That would be best. I want to get this case over with." He casted a glance over at Mai. She quickly looked away from him and pretended that she wasn't listening. She felt his dark gaze on her for a few more moments before it was gone. Mentally sighing in relief, she hoped he didn't know what she was planning. Then again Naru always knew everything... Mai shook her head. She was just going to have to out-smart the narcissist! It wasn't going to be easy. She was going to have to plan things out as well as possible.

As the hours rolled by, Mai was still trying to think up all the possible plans she could use. She could always try slipping out once everyone was asleep, but someone always stayed in base and kept an eye on things... Perhaps she could say she needed to take a shower? That way they would have to talk to Takumi. The bathrooms don't have cameras either. It seemed logical. Mai mentally nodded. She would try that idea first.

"-ai. Mai!"

The brunette snapped out of her thoughts and moved her gaze to her boyfriend, who just so happened to be in front of her.

"Y-yeah, I'm listening." She spluttered. Naru eyed her suspiciously.

"Then repeat what I said." He ordered. The brunette mentally blanched.

"Ummm..."

"I'm waiting."

"...Tea?" She guessed lamely. Her boss scoffed.

"You really weren't listening." No, I wasn't, but do you really have to point it out...? Mai grumbled to herself.

"Ehe... Sorry?" She tried to give a smile, but when she saw the look Naru was giving her, she dropped it. "...What were you saying?" She asked timidly. Naru gave her an irritated look.

"I was explaining that until this spirit is gone you are to remain in base with someone with you at all times."

The brunette gulped. She knew this was coming, but she only hoped that her plan would work. If it didn't, she would be in a lot more trouble and she'd have nothing to show for it. Who knows what Naru might do also... Gulping, she tried not to dwell on that particular subject. It frightened her to. Naru was her boss, but more than that, he was her boyfriend. The guy she loved. She didn't want him to feel like she betrayed him in any way. But honestly, she felt like she didn't have a choice anymore. And he also didn't have to put her on base lockdown...she wasn't some fragile piece of glass. She could handle herself. It's not like it'd be the first time someone was after her, spirit-wise. That would be something she could prove, instead of worrying about whether what Naru's gonna think.

Forcing herself to relax, she looked around the room. Everyone seemed to be doing their own little thing. Ayako and Bou-san were having a small argument, and John and Masako were chatting quietly. Lin along with Naru were just sitting in front of the monitors. She briefly wondered if she could slip out without being noticed. Mai decided to scratch that plan in favour of the one she already had. Perhaps she should ask now...

"Naru... when are you going to get John to perform the exorcism?"

"In an hour or so." He replied, turning to look at her. "Why?"

Mai mentally cursed. That wouldn't do for her plan. But she needed to try at least.

"Umm..." She began. Naru raised an eyebrow at her.

"Is there a problem?"

"I was just...I was wondering if I could take a shower?" She looked at her boyfriend with hopeful eyes. "After everything that happened last night...I just feel kinda..." Mai trailed off, hoping he'd understand. He looked at her carefully. "Please?" She begged. He gave a reluctant sigh.

"If you take Miss Matsuzaki with you."

Mai made sure her smile wasn't too big. "Thank you."

Ayako stopped arguing with the monk at the sound of her name. "What?" She questioned stupidly, obviously not having heard Naru's order.

"You are to accompany Mai to the bathroom." Naru stated. The red-head's gaze shifted to Mai before she nodded.

"Alright, I guess we'll go now then." She stated walking towards the door. Mai slowly stood up and took a few steps towards Ayako before she stopped. Moving her head and gaze to look at Naru who was still sitting at the monitors, she quickly went over to him and wrapped her arms around his neck for a few moments, hugging him. She didn't know what would happen the next time she saw him—or if she'd see him again, but that's only if something horrible happened with trying to talk to the spirit.

At first he went rigid until he realised who it was. Knowing it was Mai, he relaxed slightly, but he was still confused. And if there was something he hated the most it was when he got confused. He was Oliver Davis for goodness sake. He should be perfectly capable to figure out the reason behind Mai hugging him right now. He felt her tighten the grip she had on him.

"I love you, Naru..." Then her arms disappeared from around his neck. By the time the concerned boyfriend turned around to ask her what was wrong—he knew by her tone of voice that something was—Mai and Ayako were already out of base. Out of his sight.

Naruisawesome: Oh no...

MzShellSan: Mai! What's wrong with you?!

Naruisawesome: Ohhhh no...

MzShellSan: Does she even realize what this could cost?!

Naruisawesome: Ohhhhhhhh—

MzShellSan: Will you stop that?!

Naruisawesome: *pouts*

MzShellSan: *ignores* Thank you for all of the reviews and support everyone! Please review! ^_^