Hope you enjoy this chapter into a new story. I apologize if it is a bit short, but I never can find a good reason to make a chapter so long. Anyways! Please R&R and, more importantly, enjoy.

"After four years, you'd think Mai would show up on time," Ayako said huffing and looking at her nails.

Monk and she were leaning against Mai's company van packed full of cameras and monitors and other ghost hunting gadgets. The car was parked in front of Mai's medium sized ghost hunting office building. They were set to meet there early in the morning so that they weren't harassed by paparazzi all set on getting pictures with Mai, and then ride down together to the client's house. Mai being Mai however, was fashionable late.

Yasu, Masako, and John were on time, so it was agreed that they take Johns car and leave to go to the client's house to ensure their meeting time is kept, which meant Mai was stuck in a car with her adoptive parents.

Monk and Ayako had been married for three years, after a year of dating, but both had adopted Mai after Oliver left. With no job, they were concerned about the girl that had been left behind without a seconds notice. They loved her and had decided to adopt her as a surprise. Mai was a little angry that they discussed the adoption without her but overall happy. She was worried that after Naru had left, so would everyone else. Knowing that Monk and Ayako adopted her, made her thoughts cease. Mai then quickly turned her attention to school and learning anything and everything she could.

Both parent figures had stayed the same but grew into the roles of a parent rather quickly. Monk loved hearing all about Mai's friends and how her studies were going, and Ayako loved spoiling her rotten with whatever she could. They both enjoyed spending any time with Mai they could.

"What you want our little girl growing up and changing?" Monk said grinning. "Unlike you, Ayako, I love her just the way she is! Even if she's a little late" He crossed his arms and turned his head away from her.

Ayako huffed. "I didn't mean that!" She growled out, smacking him upside the head. "I meant-"

"I'm here!" Mai ran towards them, a black suitcase rolling behind her.

"Hey, Mai!" Monk squealed and hugged her tight while lifting her off the ground.

"Monk- I can't-" Mai wheezed out.

"Knock it off!" Ayako smacked him with her purse.

"Gah!" He cursed out, holding his head and looking at Ayako with a hurt expression. "Woman, you are crazy!"

"Whatever," Ayako rolled her eyes and gave Mai a gentle hug, while Monk loaded her suitcase in the car. "It's great to see you, honey," Ayako said lovingly.

Mai buried her head into Ayako's shoulder. Even if she sees them frequently, and works with them as consultant's, she still misses them. "It's great to see you guys too!" Mai said smiling brightly as Ayako held her at arm's length.

"Hey! I love your outfit!" Ayako said looking Mai up and down.

Mai blushed. "Thanks!"

Mai was wearing a black pencil skirt with a pink blouse and a black blazer. She also had on a pair of black designer heels that Ayako had gotten her for her birthday and gushed about how necessary it was that she had a pair. Typically when Mai was outside the office and not on a case, she dressed in very basic fashion, some skinny jeans or boot-cut with a nice top.

With four years of hard work and "no play", Mai had grown into a beautiful woman who was entirely oblivious to her own beauty. No matter how many times she had been asked out, she would always say no. In her brain, she reasoned with herself and blamed it on wanting to have a steady career before seeking out someone to share her attention. But in her heart, there was a different story. One she refused to admit, and instead buried it under all her work. Thankfully for her, she had plenty of distractions.

"You look beautiful!" Monk said hugging both Ayako and Mai. "Very mature! I love it!"

Ayako glared at the Monk. "But Houshou, I thought you liked our "little girl" not growing up?" Ayako said accusingly, crossing her arms and jutting her hip out.

Monk rubbed the back of his neck. "I do! But mature Mai is good too!" He said defensively.

"Uhh huh," Ayako said narrowing her eyes.

Mai sighed, "Hey guys," Mai said from her place between the two of them. They looked at her. "I've no idea what this is about, but can we please get going so that we can finish this case?" She looked up at them both, her big brown eyes shining.

"Of course!" Monk said opening the car door for Mai.

Ayako sighed and uncrossed her arm's. "Let's go then." She moved over to the passenger side and waited for her husband.

Monk opened the door for her, before getting into the driver's seat and buckling in.

They drove away from the curb and towards the client's house, to begin another case.

After about 40 minutes, the trio arrived at their client's driveway. A gate was blocking the way in and Monk quickly typed in the code, in order for the gates to open. The way up to the house was outstanding, from the roundabout with a fountain in the middle to the beautifully kept yard. There was a glass greenhouse poking its head out from behind the house, which was Victorian style and a soft yellow color with pointed looking roofs.

Monk pulled up behind Johns car and they all got out of the car.

"This is more like a mansion," Monk said, Mai right next to him nodding her head in agreement.

Ayako walked up to the two of them. "Oh please," She said tossing her hair over her shoulder. "Our house is about that size."

Monk looked back at her. "No way!" He said and then looked at Mai. "Is it really that big?"

Mai smiled at him sympathetically. "Sorry to be the bearer of bad news?" she said a bit like a question, not knowing what the problem was, "But yeah." Mai chuckled nervously. Having lived there for 3 years before buying her penthouse apartment, Mai agreed with Ayako.

Monk's jaw dropped. "Really? I didn't think it was this big though."

By the time Monk and Mai were done talking, they had noticed Ayako was already at the front door which was promptly opened by John.

The two joined up with them.

"Hey, guys," John said politely.

"Sorry I didn't meet up with everyone on time," Mai said blushing.

John held his hands up in surrender, not wanting to offend Mai on accident. "No!" He said quickly. "That's quite alright." He smiled at her in reassurance.

John stayed pretty similar, aside from getting taller and a bit more muscular, he was still a kind person. When the disbanding of SPR happened he decided to stay in Japan instead of going back home to Australia and has been working at a church and helping Mai out with cases if he was busy. Mai has also been volunteering at the church and watching the children of the church while the parents were in meetings.

Mai sighed. "I suppose it was worth it though," She said. "I had a dream."

The group looked at her in a mix of concern and surprise.

"So soon?" Ayako said stepping a little closer to Mai. "We barely even started. This isn't like normal. Do you feel okay now?" She placed a hand on Mai's head.

Mai was quick to remove it gently. "I feel fine, Ayako!" Said woman looked at her, eyes narrowing. "Honest!" Mai said backing up behind Monk in a way to defend herself.

Ayako let out a breath. "Fine."

Mai sighed in relief, happy the attention was off of her, but quickly took a sharp intake when Ayako pointed at her fiercely.

"But if I find out that you are lying..." Ayako left the rest up to Mai's imagination, and turned around and walked into the house. Thinking it wise to just follow her and not argue, the rest followed in her footsteps and went inside.

Although Ayako might have been exaggerating, Mai couldn't help but agree with her comment about her early dreaming excursions not being normal. She had a feeling that her unconscious was trying to warn her or urge her to quickly finish the case.

Next chapter will be updated soon! I am currently on vacation in England right now!

Cheers!