Author's Note: Thank you so much to all of you for sticking with this and with me. It's taken a while (and it's a doozy of a chapter), but I'm happy to provide this final part. I need to thank every single one of you who reviewed, who favorited, and who let me know your support and your critique. Without you this wouldn't exist.

...

Part V

...

Last night I dreamt that I grew wings

I found a place

Where they could hear me when I sing

-Josh Ritter, Wings

...

3 months ago

She was in pain and pinned to the sofa, the weight of a body pressing down, the familiar, bittersweet smell of Naru and tea around her shoulders like a cloak.

She had not fallen asleep, had not dared to—hadn't wanted to miss a moment of him, not when he'd buried his face into her, and not now as his steady breath parted her hair at the temple. Mai had pretended until he'd succumbed to sleep first, probably only fooling him due to his own exhaustion. In the midnight blue of the living room Mai had waited for the earth to stop shaking within her chest, though that seemed to be futile; it was a wonder the trembling hadn't woken the young genius beside her.

She ignored the numbness in her left arm and the pain of her neck as she dared lift her head to see him better.

Naru.

Naru in sleep was an image searing into her heart, her pitiful heart that could do nothing but reach, wanting to memorize every detail of him; his smooth brow, the slight muss of bangs across his forehead, the beginnings of stubble on his pale jaw. He was so still, so oddly severe, and so Naru that she had to close her eyes. How did she get here?

Her stomach clenched; how could she leave?

But even as she had the thought she knew the answer. Because her body was melting into his—the exposed skin burning where it touched his firm chest and arms, her legs parting to accommodate him, her breath lulled, pulse patterning after Naru's own. She was gone, wanted nothing more than to forget and submit and sleep with him and wake with him and be with him until he grew sick of her and turned her away, which was inevitable because he did not want her like she did him.

It was dangerous how quickly and completely Naru had staked his claim and how she'd just let him. She remembered his kisses (did not think she could forget them if she lived a hundred more years), his forceful caresses, his control as it had met her own want and even lying here some hours later she could not get her pulse to resemble calm. Could not believe that he'd…

God, was she really such a simpleton? Mai gazed at the ceiling, now suddenly unfamiliar, her eyes burning, and bit her lip. How could she have done this when she knew better—had just expressed that knowledge to him, even? If he could not give her what she needed, didn't she owe it to herself to find it elsewhere? If she always gave in, wouldn't she be in this stalemate indefinitely?

She took a steading breath and it broke the rhythm they'd created, the synchronized inhalations. She would. She would be stuck, perhaps forever, or perhaps just long enough to make finding anything else just that much more difficult. Mai forced herself to stay true to her choice. Slowly, calmly, she disintegrated from him, her hands shaking, and then her legs as she stepped from the couch.

He didn't wake.

She tired not to analyze whether she wanted him to or not.

Mai hugged her arms around herself to keep from touching his forehead—from letting her lips graze his—and let her tears fall. As long as they were silent, she didn't care if they never stopped.

Hush, she told herself and drew away. This was not the time—and he was not the man—for such melodrama.

A while later, she was grateful to Keiko who took her in and didn't press her for information. She knew she'd have to move on quickly though, as Naru was nothing if not a good investigator and was sure to find her at her friend's house—if he even bothered to search after her. Mai steeled herself against such thoughts and concentrated on the task at hand: find a new place to stay, get a job, move on. Thank the spirits she'd been saving her money for a while, and was frugal by nature.

Somewhere, in the back of her mind, she wondered if she'd always expected it would come to this.

...

"You're late."

"I know, I'm so sorry," she said apologetically, tying her apron in the back. She moved to the espresso machine, giving Takato a contrite look. She quickly offered him a cup of his favorite coffee, a peace offering of sorts.

The man did not seem appeased. "This is the fifth time this month. Seventh, if I count when you've fallen asleep at the job, which I didn't, only because you're so good with the costumers. What's your excuse this time; a broken alarm? Or was your friend sick again?"

Mai looked down, "I had a rough night."

She didn't want to mumble, but Takato was worse than Naru in that he hated to hear her explanations-what he called her "insubordinate" tone. While there were many things to be desired in Naru's managerial style, unquestioning silence from his employees was not one of them.

The gruff man's mustache seemed to shake, "That doesn't cut it, Taniyama. I warned you last time—I have to let you go."

"I…" Mai closed her mouth; there was nothing she could say. Because 'sorry, but I was having psychic dreams about the gruesome murder of my house-mate's sister', was just not going to cut it.

"I understand," she gave a nod, "I'm very sorry."

The man watched her for a moment before turning around, "Good luck out there, Taniyama. You can pick your check up tomorrow."

She didn't even bother untying her apron this time; she was sick of replacing them.

It was surprisingly cold on her walk back to her apartment, given that winter was supposed to be ending. As soon as she had the thought, a faint, icy drizzle began and Mai cursed under her breath. No umbrella, no hood on her jacket; and she still had a while to walk. Small crystals gathered on her shoulders and hair and Mai thought about where else she could apply—she needed a job immediately and preferably one that would not be affected by her terrible visions.

Fat chance of that, she thought, but tried to shake herself out of it. After all, she had never been one for self-pity before and didn't see a reason to start now, despite the rough employment streak.

Still, it was obvious that her current pattern was not going to work—the bosses' lack of understanding (and her lack of interest in the service jobs she could get hired for) was insurmountable. She needed a plan. More than that, she needed a future.

This was how Mai Tannyama found herself at the closest public library that night, researching everything she could find on parapsychology and paranormal investigation.

...

"Masako," her voice sounded lost, even to her, "I…"

The dark haired medium gave her a small nod, stepping aside and letting Mai enter. No other words were spoken as Masako took her into her formal sitting room and presented her with a seat and tea before excusing herself. Mai gave the girl a grateful look, taking a sip from the cup once it had seeped. Her hands were unsteady and she willed them to stop shaking. She'd tried to practice her request to the medium, as she'd been doing for weeks, and told herself that she was there for a reason.

A few minutes later, the medium returned, taking a seat across from her. "I must say I'm surprised by your visit." Masako's doll-eyes observed her carefully, though not unkindly.

Mai could not quite meet her gaze, "I know. Thank you for seeing me." She glanced at the nicely furnished room and gave a smile, "You have a lovely place."

If it had been anyone other than Masako Hara, the sound she made would have been labeled a snort. "My parents," the medium said dispassionately. Mai knew little of Masako's home life, other than her parent's rather strong involvement in her career. Still, it was not something she thought the celebrity would like to be pressed on.

"Ah," Mai said. She picked at the fringe of her skirt, "Sorry."

"You didn't do anything," the medium dismissed. Her large eyes were penetrating, "It's been a while, Mai. May I inquire as to the reason for your visit?"

Mai bit her lip and looked down, "I…I hoped you could give me some help." The medium's eyebrows reached past her bangs and Mai went on hurriedly, "Or information. On psychometry. Since you work in this field." Mai released a breath and dared to look up, only to find Masako scrutinizing her.

"You know very well that that's not my specialty; at least in the research capacity," the girl replied, though her tone was not cold as usual, "In fact, we both know people much more suited to answer those kinds of questions."

Mai clenched her fingers, her heart speeding at the suggestion. She nodded, "Yes. But…" She bit her lip again, "I can't…it's been too long…"

"Mai."

The brunette stopped fidgeting and faced her long-time rival, suddenly aware of how kind the girl's eyes looked. Had she never realized how inviting Masako Hara's face could be? The darker haired girl gave her a small smile, "You don't have to do this. Any of it."

Mai looked at her in confusion, "What do you mean?"

"Pretend like you could walk away from this." The medium took another long sip of her tea and her smile grew wistful, "From Naru. The two of you are connected, no matter how much you resist it." She scoffed, "Or how much I resisted it."

"Oh, Masako," the teen tried, her stomach in knots, "I don't think—"

"Mai, tell me something," Masako interrupted, her voice soft, "Do you know what Oliver Davis wants?"

Mai's heart clenched, "I…I don't."

The dark haired girl nodded, "Do you know what Naru wants?"

Mai's eyes widened, unsure of how to respond. "I'm sorry," she said, "I don't know what—"

"Naru," Masako said, "You know Naru. What does he want?"

Mai lowered her gaze, thinking the other girls' words over. "He wants," she let out a breath, "He wants things to stay the same. He wants…uncomplicated facts. He doesn't want a relationship."

The medium didn't respond but merely stood, walking to an ornate mantel before she turned around; her face was solemn when she spoke, "You've been an idiot, Mai."

"Hey!" Mai gaped but Masako interrupted her.

"I'm sorry, but it's true," the girl said, her arms crossed, "Have you let yourself forget everything you've learned since working at SPR?"

"I…" Mai felt quite stunned. She rose as well, getting indignant, "No, I haven't."

Masako made that same snorting noise from before, "Which is why you're unable to apply even a little critical thinking to your situation?" The medium's eyes narrowed, "You say Naru wants facts and hates change?"

"Yes!"

"Then why was he with you?"

The response slipped from Mai's tongue. She furrowed her brow, "I…."

Masako rolled her eyes, "Something clearly happened, and I'm guessing Naru's way of being Naru got in the way but Mai…" Masako came closer and Mai could see the effort this conversation was taking on the girl and immediately felt guilty, "Could you just look at the evidence? Not what Naru claims and not what he's supposed to want but the actual facts?"

Mai shook her head, trying to clear it. "But he…" she stopped. And she thought.

"He…" she looked up at the medium, her pulse speeding, "wanted to kiss me. To keep seeing me." She gave Masako an embarrassed look but the girl didn't seem affected. "But," she paused, "I know he doesn't want what I want—"

"How?"

"What?"

"How do you know?" Masako asked, exasperated. Mai closed her mouth abruptly. "Could it be," the teenage medium continued with no little annoyance, "that a stoic and rational man like Naru could need a modicum of time to adjust to the idea of a relationship, especially with someone as hot-tempered and impulsive as yourself?"

"Hey!"

Masako closed her eyes, "Not the time, Mai."

Mai's feelings rose up in her suddenly: anger and embarrassment and frustration coloring her cheeks. "Fine!" She bit out, "I was quick to judge."

"And to leave?"

The brunette looked away, tears suddenly stinging her eyes, "And to leave." In that moment Mai remembered Naru's hunched posture on the night she left, the mostly concealed but still visible pain in the lines of his face when she'd said goodbye—the way he'd made her skin and body a temple of something tremendous that at the time overwhelmed and confused her and that now she could only call love. How blind had she really been? Why had she not seen?

The answer hit her without preamble or mercy: more than anything, she'd been scared. Terrified of that beckoning cliff that she'd thought she'd jumped months ago. But Mai had been wrong-saying 'I love you' was different from doing it, from being it with someone and when the moment had come she'd done the very thing that had broken her heart when Naru had done it to her: she'd run.

There was along silence before she could find her voice again. "I did to him what he did to me, Masako," she whispered, "I assumed. I ignored what was really happening in favor of what I was afraid of." The stinging in her eyes was nothing compared to the steel in her stomach, and she could not see her friend—because that's what she was, no matter how much the medium protested—through the blur.

"And I've ruined everything." The words were sobbed and Mai shallowly felt the embarrassment before her grief overtook it. Dimly, she noticed that she was being held and looked up to see Masako wrapping her arms around her. "You did no such thing." She pulled away slightly, "He wants you back too."

Mai scoffed, wiping her eyes, "Yeah, how do you know?"

"Because I called him."

The girl stilled, absorbing. "Wait, what?"

Masako sighed, "I called him when you first arrived and told him you were here. He's been a mess too."

Mai felt the room spin and she sprawled on the ground, a sudden burst of nausea rising in her, "You told him I was here? He doesn't want to see me, he would never forgive—"

There was a knock on the door. Mai's heart stopped.

The beautiful Masako gave her a smirk, but held her hand out nonetheless. "What did I say about assumptions?"

Mai was unable to speak, her eyes wide on the door, disbelieving. She looked at Masako. "Well?" the dark haired girl asked, "Are you going to do something about it?"

Mai felt a long buried spark of hope flicker in her chest, warming her and settling her nerves. She raised her hand to Masako's and was at the door before the other girl could even let out her laugh. Her blood rushing in her ears, her pulse galloping, Mai opened the door to find Naru looking at her with astonishment she knew mirrored her own.

Unnoticed, Masako slipped away from their reunion—she had a lot of calls to make, after all, and a lot of bets to collect that had worked out in her favor.

...

One month later

"Mai!"

She sighed, adjusting her arm. "Coming!" You demanding, impatient, narcissist.

Still, she couldn't help but smile as she trudged behind him, camera bags cutting across her chest and arms as she made her way through the forest. It was, after all, a thought with no little amount of affection and she again hoped that they could get some time alone this weekend after they were done with whatever hunt Naru had enlisted them for. The last few days had been exceedingly busy at SPR and they'd barely spoken expect for the drive here and Mai was missing the arrogant narcissist more than a little. It was his way, she knew, and she had to admit that he was adapting to being with her far better than she'd ever hoped. Still, they hadn't been close in a while (Mai still couldn't think about that without flushing and getting a dopey love-sick look on her face, something everyone except John and Lin teased her about) and she didn't think it unreasonable that she wanted a little time alone with her…boyf—Naru.

He and Mai had arrived early that morning to set up before the others and the air was pleasant as they walked past the small lake on the property, strong green trees surrounding them on the way. The Aoi Inn they were investigating had some sort of spiritual disturbance and they'd driven several hours from the city to get to the isolated location. The place was beautiful and seemed absolutely serene; she wondered what kind of ghost they would be dealing with.

"Hey, Naru?"

The man in question didn't respond but his pace slowed enough that she knew that he was listening. "What exactly are we up against? I couldn't really get anything out of Lin before we left." Not that that's saying much, she thought wryly.

Naru didn't respond, instead making his way up the steps to the small house they'd reached and Mai forced herself to take a calming breath and not get frustrated with him. Be nice, Mai, a voice that sounded suspiciously like a Gene-Masako hybrid told her, he's socially inept…when he wants to be.

"Did you hear me?" she said with practiced patience, coming in behind him as he stepped through the door, "I asked….."

…

"Mai?"

"Uh," she said intelligently, her eyes wide and frozen at the room in front of them. It was a splendid space of white and soft blues with lovely screen-printed silks and furniture. There was a small kitchen in the back of the space, but the really noticeable feature—the thing Mai was struck by—was the bedroom that they were facing, where a fairly large bed made Mai's eyes widen: on it, spread lightly and deliberately in a romantic cascade were flower petals.

Mai realized she was gaping and she noticed belatedly that Naru seemed to be looking at her expectantly. "Well?" He sounded exasperated when she didn't respond.

"What…?" she didn't what to say, choosing to, instead, put down the bags she was carrying with hesitation, "What are we doing here, Naru?"

If she didn't know better—and if Naru was absolutely not the person for it—she could have sworn he looked abashed, but he covered it quickly. "I thought you'd be a little better at picking up clues by now."

Mai frowned, hands on her hips, "Are you trying to be romantic? Is this er…?"

His face was serene, "Clearly."

"Well if you're trying to be romantic, don't insult me," she huffed, but couldn't help the smile spreading over her face despite the words. She stepped further into the room, taking in the plushness of the bedspread, the smell of the flowers, the warmth of the spilling in light. She turned to him, eyes wide, "Orchids?"

He didn't respond, but his mouth quirked upwards. He closed the door and stepped around her, walking to the plants in question before turning to her. "Well?" he repeated his words from earlier and Mai felt her brain catch up to her eyes.

"I…" she grinned, "I can't believe you did this." She paused, stepping closer to him, "I mean, this is intended for us, right?"

She swore she saw his eyes roll, "No, it's for Lin and I."

Mai blinked before bursting into laughter and Naru even let out a smirk of his own. She wrapped her arms around him, despite his usual aversion to such crossing of boundaries at work and suddenly snapped her head up, a thought occurring to her, "Are you sure we should be here, given the case and, you know, looking professional…?"

Naru looked at her, "There is no case."

"No case," she repeated. Mai dropped her arms, "No case?"

"Yes," the scientist said, picking his laptop bag and satchel from where he'd dropped it and bringing it to a small desk in the room, "It was the easiest way to surprise you."

Mai realized her mouth was still open and snapped it shut, "Are you telling me that all of this lugging and equipment and the fact that I didn't pack extra clothing was all for nothing?"

"Mm," Naru hummed, noncommittally, looking through some files on the desk, "Besides, you won't really need clothing."

She felt her entire body flush red before he looked up at her, "You can wear my shirts."

"That's hardly appropriate when leaving this room, Naru," she hissed. Her heart was traitorous though, and quite speedy in its pulse at the insinuation. She couldn't help that she was attracted to him and that it made her painfully easy to read. She crossed her arms, "You know, you can be romantic without…tricking me either!"

"But this is more entertaining."

She felt a flicker playfulness in her irritation, suddenly wanting to give him a taste of his own (agitating) medicine. She moved behind him by the other side of the bed as he still concerned himself with whatever documents he was inspecting, "So the others aren't coming?"

"No," he said, back still to her, "They'd certainly be surprised to see us here if they did."

Her fingers were quick on the buttons of her shirt, then the zipper of the skirt as she beat down the nervousness coiling in her abdomen, "No they wouldn't. They've known about…this for a while. Masako told them."

"They've wha—?" he turned towards her, incredulous, but stopped mid word. He stared at her, his face unreadable.

She willed her body to stop trembling and stood there in her underwear, her chin a little defiant. She swallowed, "You said I don't need the clothes."

Naru didn't respond, his face unexpressive and she felt monumentally idiotic, wrapping her arms around her midriff, "I can put them back—"

"No."

Mai blinked and saw him step towards her. What she'd mistaken for stoicism in his face was not, it seemed. It was a restraint—something almost guarded in his jaw. When he reached her, his hand was very warm on her shoulder, light in its touch.

"I feel a little stupid," she admitted and was surprised to see him frown.

"You're not stupid," he said.

She rolled her eyes, "Contrary to what you've always called me."

Naru looked at her intently, "Then accept my amendment—and apology. You're not stupid. You're…"

Mai swallowed, "Please don't ruin it—"

"Emotive. Impassioned."

She felt her heart skip a beat. Despite the relationship they'd built the last few weeks, Naru was never one to give compliments or to discuss feelings. It was oddly, painfully surreal.

"Thank you," she whispered.

His hand cupped her face, thumb on her cheek. His blue eyes were unrelenting on her own, "Lovely," he added.

The word, full of almost British inflection and, more importantly, tenderness, had the small wings held tight in her stomach unfurling, sending shivers throughout her body. She pressed her cheek into his palm and saw him move closer. "I love you," she breathed, losing count of how many times she'd said the words in the past year, but unable to stop...especially when his proximity always seemed like a finger on an emotional trigger within her breast. Bam, there, she said it yet again.

This time, however, in the silence afterwards, there was something different. She opened eyes that she hadn't even realized she'd closed and saw Naru's mouth parted, his breathing heavy on her lips. Her heart shuddered as his throat moved, breath harsh before the moment was over and he was leaning into her mouth instead of speaking, like she'd expected. Naru's kiss seared itself into her skin and in that instant she knew that even if he couldn't say it now, he was close, it would come.

Losing herself in his kisses Mai knew, with a certainty she could only call instinct, that she'd be there when he finally could.

...

Naru woke into the dark, trying to hold on to one of the most pleasant dreams that he'd had. Yet, the particulars escaped him and, in the soft moonlight streaming into the room, the impressions of it were vague at best.

He shifted in the bed and felt an arm wrap around him more tightly. He looked down at the slender appendage and felt his mouth spread itself into a smile without his permission. It amazed him still, though it shouldn't at this point, how she was able to make him act so contrary to everything he'd always been.

He felt good, for the first time in a long time, and it had been so long that he wasn't just passing, or ambivalent, or grieving, it almost felt…wrong. Undeserved.

Like it could be taken away.

He resisted this train of thought and brought his fingers cautiously to the pale skin of her shoulder. It reminded him of his dream and he tried again to piece it together. Mai had been in it, and there was a field, and his brother had been there too and they'd all sat together…watching the sunrise. The details of the conversation escaped him, despite his best efforts, but there'd been an incredible sense of contentment, of purpose. It was a dream he'd had often, lately.

Naru sighed and relented to the drowsiness overtaking his mind. He'd try to think about it again tomorrow, maybe as he informed Mai that the cottage he'd booked has access to a pool, and that she had no swimsuit. He smirked, pleased at the idea. But right now, Mai's body was a small fire against him and it called him down, just like her powers, always drawing him to her like some great pull of gravity; an undiscovered force of nature. He made a mental note to consider that aspect of physics as he studied her abilities further.

In his mostly asleep state he felt that force spread through him like sonic vibrations through an ocean ravine. "Mai," he murmured to the silent room, his words slipping into the night unheard.

...

The sun was just barely coming over the hills and Naru looked to his brother in the soft orange glow, brow raised, "So where is this, exactly?"

Gene didn't look at him, just shrugged and grinned, "Don't know. Just thought it up. Pretty splendid though, right?"

Mai, who'd been staring at the grass between her toes looked up, "It's beautiful."

Gene nodded. He finally glanced at his brother, "I do regret that we didn't do this more."

Naru scoffed and ignored Mai's jabbing at his side. "What?"

The girl rolled her eyes and reached across the scientist to place a hand on Gene's arm, "I'm glad you brought us here."

"Why did you bring us here?" his twin asked, but it was almost to himself.

Gene looked back at the sunrise and looked embarrassed for a moment, "I…I wanted to see what it would have been like." He cleared his throat, "…being a part of your lives for real, I guess."

Mai was on her feet and in front of him in seconds, her arms suddenly around the young man, "Oh Gene."

"It's okay! Mai," Gene smiled, patting her on the back, "Please don't—"

Mai lifted her head, tear-streaked, and wiped her eyes, "I can't help it. I just wish you weren't…" But she couldn't go on and she tried her best to collect herself. When she looked up again she was surprised to see Naru's pained face, usually so reserved, until she saw him clutching his brother's hand, knuckles white.

Gene let out a shuddering sigh and grasped Mai's fingers with his other hand, "It's okay, just watch."

Mai paused and then turned and pushed herself to his side, her breath catching at the display of colors in front of them—almost too vibrant to be natural—as they climbed the horizon. The sight was so lovely as to be balming, and Mai felt her tears dry in her throat.

"I'll miss you, Gene," she whispered and was surprised when the words didn't feel as heavy in her chest.

"Gene," Naru said and Mai watched Gene looked at the scientist and nodded. "But how are you doing it?" Naru asked, his brow furrowed.

Gene smirked, "There are so many things about being a spirit that I don't understand—it's really a shame you aren't here to interrogate it, scientist." He looked at Mai's confused expression and said, "The state you're in—this place—you won't remember it when you wake up."

Mai's eyes widened and she looked at Naru, whose own face was somber. "Why?"

The young man shrugged and there was something sad in his expression, "Because this is more for me than it is for you. And I'd rather you not remember my selfishness."

"Gene—"

"Mai," he interrupted, "Please? Just watch be here with me. Watch."

At his instruction, Mai faced the sunrise again, clenching the hands in either of hers. Almost instantly the pain in her chest dissipated and the sun in its assent warmed her face and legs and shoulder that Naru was now pressed against. The world was beautiful. Her friends were beautiful. She knew it was a spell but still she smiled at Naru and Gene and felt a contentment bubble up inside of her.

"Remember this part," Gene's voice said, and it sounded far away and inside her head at the same time.

Silently, they watched the sun rise the rest of the way over the hilltops, touching the light to everything they could see, three vague figures against the stream. And Mai knew that she'd try to hold this image—this particular light—with her between the dark that might come.

.

-Fin-

A/N: Your support and reviews make me keep going. I'm so tempted to write more, as I love this fandom to pieces, though it might be a different story, not a continuation. In any case, your thoughts would be more than appreciated.

love,

Em