Disclaimer: All characters in Ghost Hunt are the creation of the Goddess Ono Fuyumi-sama.

1:00 pm, Saturday, October 23rd.

As Lin slowly drifted into consciousness, the first thing he noticed was the beep of a machine. It wasn't one of the machines he worked with. Of that, he was sure. Thus, he didn't think he was back in base, but then he noticed a slow dripping noise and was left wondering if he wasn't back in that house after all. Things were soon made clear as the scent of disinfectant assailed his nose.

He understood now. He was in a hospital. Though he hadn't opened his eyes, he could tell that the room he was in was extremely bright as the sun shone through his eyelids.

Very slowly, he regained the feeling in his body. The most notable sensation was the pain radiating from his lower abdomen, but his entire body felt stiff and he ached all over. Even his palms were cramped, so he gently flexed his hands. The starched sheets scratched against the pads of his fingers.

Directly to his left there was the sound of rustling and he knew there was someone with him. He didn't have to guess who it was. He opened his mouth to talk, but found it difficult.

"You should drink some water first," Mai suggested.

After she said this, Lin felt her grab his hand and place a cup within it. She helped him take a few sips and then placed the cup down. After a moment, Lin could hear the sound of the blinds being closed. Though the light had eased, he couldn't bring himself to open his eyes.

"Does this mean you still love me?" he rasped.

"Why would I ever stop?" she questioned in return.

"You're angry," he quietly noted.

There was a long pause, then Lin heard her sigh loudly.

"Of course I'm angry," she responded, trying to keep her temper in check. "How could you be so reckless?"

"I admit I acted rashly," he conceded, "but I won't apologize for saving you."

"I'm not asking you to apologize," Mai suddenly snapped. "I'm asking you to stop putting yourself at risk on my behalf. How many more times are you going to end up in the hospital because of me?"

Lin cringed at her harsh words, but he knew she had a right to be angry. This definitely wasn't the first time he had done something like this.

"What would you have had me do?" he quietly asked.

Mai sighed again.

"I don't know, pull me out of the way maybe?" she quietly suggested. The previous harshness was absent from her voice now. "Anything is better than shielding me with your body."

Lin remained quiet. She was right, of course, but there was nothing he could do about it now. He suddenly felt Mai place a hand to his forehead before gently running her fingers through his hair.

After almost losing him, she really couldn't help but go easy on him. She didn't want to yell or be upset. She just wanted to be with him and enjoy his company.

"You don't have to hide," she said softly. "I'd prefer it if you looked at me."

It was a few moments before Lin slowly opened his eyes and met her gaze. He was glad to note that her expression held only warmth for him.

"I nearly lost my mind," she told him seriously.

Lin swallowed uneasily. He hated the thought of doing that to her.

"I'm sorry for putting you through that," he told her sincerely.

Mai gently tugged on his hair, causing him to frown.

"Ow," he complained, though it didn't hurt him in the least.

Mai released his hair and ruffled it with her hand.

"Dummy," she gently admonished, "don't think that'll get you off the hook."

Lin gently smiled and shrugged.

"I thought it might," he admitted, "but I have a contingency plan."

"Yeah, not anytime soon," she teased as she poked his side.

"Ow," he complained a little more genuinely this time.

Mai ignored his complaints.

"That reminds me," she added, "I told the doctors not to give you any pain meds. I figured you'd prefer a little pain now than a harsh month or so of cleansing."

"Now I know you're holding a grudge," he grumbled.

Mai shrugged.

"It's not like you need it anyway," she commented. "You've nearly healed already."

Lin slightly frowned. He knew it had been a fairly serious injury.

"What happened?" he asked.

Mai stared at him quietly for a few moments.

"Naru and I managed to heal you enough to stop the bleeding," she answered.

Lin was surprised.

"...how?" he wondered.

Mai shrugged.

"I found your aura," she responded. "Things just fell into place from there."

Lin sat blinking for a few moments in thought until he finally comprehended the meaning behind her words.

"Ah, I see."

Mai smiled at the way he said that so expressionlessly. Somehow, it made her feel warm inside.

"I'm glad you're back to normal," she admitted. "You were delirious for a little while. It really had me worried."

Lin quietly gazed at Mai's face before taking her hand into his. He looked down at their hands and gently caressed Mai's palm.

"You're being surprising levelheaded about this," he remarked. "After the last time…"

"This was a little more serious than the last time," she pointed out. "You'll feel my wrath little by little over time."

"That's comforting to know…"

"Well, I thought you might need a little comfort when you woke up," Mai responded. "Naru's insanely angry with you right now."

Lin sighed. He was going to get yelled at after all. He was at least glad Naru would be the one to do it and not Mai.

"Where is Naru?" he wondered.

"Wrapping up the case," she answered.

"Then that thing was able to be exorcised?" he asked.

"That thing was Kiyoshi," she explained. "Whatever he had become, he was willing to fight tooth and nail to remain in this world. John and Bou-san got a little cut up, but in the end they managed to banish him."

"And how did you carry me out of the woods?" he questioned.

"Well… it seems that Hanako hung on until the end," she said uncertainly. "For whatever reason, she manipulated the fog to remove us from the woods. That's how Ayako got out so fast and called an ambulance."

"Repentance, perhaps?" Lin hazarded.

"It's likely she held regrets over her son and wanted to make things right," Mai agreed. "She easily moved on once he was gone."

Lin sighed and squeezed Mai's hand before looking up at her once more.

"I'm honestly glad it's over," he admitted.

"Me, too," she agreed.

After saying this, she leaned over and softly kissed his lips. When she stood up again, Lin pulled her down for another kiss. Mai enjoyed it for a few moments before slowly breaking the kiss and giving them some distance.

"That's enough for now," she said sternly. "I don't like the idea of making out in a hospital."

Lin agreed, but he thought he might tease her a little more.

"At least I didn't have to beg this time."

Mai rolled her eyes.

"If you don't stop bringing up the last time, I'm going to get angry and beat you up."

Lin couldn't help laughing, which in turn made his wound ache. He cringed slightly.

"It's your own fault," she said remorselessly. "You should take it easy, you're not a young man anymore."

Lin sobered slightly and stared at her silently. Their age difference had never really bothered him before, but hearing her say that, he found he didn't like it being pointed out.

"You're not going to pout now, are you?" Mai asked.

Lin shook his head.

"Regardless of my age," he commented, "I still know how to satisfy you."

Mai smiled.

"Isn't that why I love you?"

Lin frowned.

"I thought it was because of the hair."

"It's because you're you," she laughed, poking him again.

Lin gently smiled.

"And I love you because you're you."

Afterword:

This is the conclusion to the case. I'd appreciate it if you let me know what you thought. I don't know if I'll add anymore chapters after this, but I certainly have other small stories in this universe. Thanks for reading!